Travelling should be as easy and enjoyable as possible for everyone on the road. But in Sarpang district’s Chhuzergang Gewog, the bad Gewog Centre road condition has created inconveniences for commuters and motorists. The 4.5-kilometre road has become worse calling for immediate attention and maintenance.
The GC road is riddled with potholes every few metres away creating inconveniences. Motorists and commuters say the gewog administration has not been able to maintain the road.
“The Chhuzergang road at Chaskhar is in bad condition. The gewog is not able to maintain the road. DoR also couldn’t maintain the road and left it. If the road is maintained, it will benefit the general public,” said Sangay Phuntsho, a commuter.
“The road is in terrible condition with no maintenance. Riddled with potholes at several locations, we encounter problems while visiting BHU and the school. The monsoon is nearing and the situation will be worse. The water will get stored in potholes making it difficult to ply through,” said Ganesh Homagai, another commuter.
Chhuzergang Gup said they have carried out minor maintenance but have not been able to initiate major maintenance due to a lack of funds. Raising the issue in the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, the gup asked if the district administration has plans to maintain the road.
“Our gewog connectivity road is under poor condition. Our gewog has limited funds due to which maintaining the road is impossible. We would like to know if the DoR has any plans or solutions to maintain the road,” said Karma Tshering, Chhuzergang Gup.
“If we use money from the gewog fund to repair the road, it would hamper in carrying out other developmental activities. It would be easier for us if things are made clear whether it’s the district administration or the department of surface transport who is going to carry out the road’s maintenance,” said Jigme, Singye Gup.
In contrast, the District Chief Engineer said that the district engineering division is not responsible for GC road maintenance.
“The maintenance of the gewog connectivity road falls upon the respective gewogs and not on the district’s engineering division. The district engineering division has limited funds and it’s unlikely. I would like to appeal to the house that the responsibility of the gewog connectivity road maintenance is kept with the respective gewogs,” said Tashi, District Chief Engineer.
Meanwhile, the Sarpang Dzongda informed the house that the district has yet to receive official directives although the Joint Sitting of the Parliament resolved to hand over GC road maintenance to the Department of Surface Transport last year.
And the district planning officer informed the house that they have proposed to include GC road maintenance in the 13th five-year plan.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Sonam Pem
