With frequent landslides during monsoon, Aieslip, a common roadblock point along the Gelephu-Trongsa highway has been a problem to commuters from Trongsa, Zhemgang and four gewogs of Sarpang for a decade. But the problem is likely to be resolved with the ongoing construction of check dams at the roadblock point. The check dam will ensure improved road connectivity, especially during monsoon.
The construction of the check dam is underway at Aieslip which is almost eight kilometres from Gelephu Town. The Department of Roads (DoR) is constructing the 10 meters high concrete check dams which are expected to control the flow of debris and slow down runoff in the flood-prone area.
However, the people expressed mixed feelings about the dam construction.
“It gives us trouble every year during monsoon. I hope that the initiation of the check dam construction would benefit us immensely,” said Kuenzang, a taxi driver in Gelephu.
“It’s difficult travelling from here at night in the event of any roadblock. We can travel only with the clearing of roadblocks. The situation at Aieslip is bad now. But we are observing that these days, they are constructing a wall above the road. I don’t think the dams will be able to resolve the problem by 100 per cent it will help solve it to a certain extent,” said Sangay Tshering, a resident of Chhuzanggang.
“Constructing a wall on top of each other is risky. Although the foundation remains strong, the walls above will get damaged by the landslides,” said Kinzang Tenzin, a driver in Jigmechhoeling.
Meanwhile, the DoR officials said the check dam construction is based on a detailed geotechnical investigation of the landslide carried out last year.
The officials said the check dams will help prevent the occurrence of landslides which would help keep the traffic open during monsoon.
The construction of the Nu 3 M worth check dams began in October this year and is expected to complete by February next year.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Sonam Pem
