In Dagana District, Thasa Chiwog has long been one of the most remote areas, situated an hour’s walk from the nearest road point in Burichhu along the Tsirang-Wangdue Phodrang highway. The residents of Thasa have had to endure a challenging life, carrying everything they need to and from the road point on their backs along a steep footpath, making the journey both arduous and time-consuming. However, a new farm road is set to change things for the better. Expected to be completed next month, the road will make life easier for the residents of Thasa, who have been eagerly awaiting this development.
Thasa chiwog, situated at the bottom of the sacred Tha Namkhai Dzong, is a small community that primarily grows rice, chilli, and the locally known Kalo dal pulse.
Due to the lack of a farm road, the residents have been forced to carry their farm produce on their backs to Burichhu, causing great difficulty and inconvenience.
However, construction on a new 4.4-kilometre farm road is now halfway complete, bringing new hope to the people of Thasa.
The new road is expected to reduce travel time to the Chiwog from an hour’s walk to a mere 20 minutes, greatly improving the lives of the residents.
“The road would benefit us immensely. It has been challenging to sell our farm produces. It is also a problem for us since we have to carry essential items on our backs from Burichhu,” said Tegomo, a resident.
“We have the district hospital in Dagapela, but we prefer visiting Damphu Hospital in Tsirang since it is closer to us. Still, it is a problem especially when we take pregnant women to Tsirang Hospital for delivery. There are incidences of pregnant women giving birth on the way,” said Chophela, another resident.
The Laja Gewog Administration has allocated Nu 1.4 M for the construction of the new farm road in Thasa Chiwog.
However, vehicles will still be forced to stop on the other side of the Tsirang-Wangdue Phodrang highway due to the lack of a motorable bridge over the Sunkosh River.
Thasa Chiwog is home to 28 households and is part of the Tarayana Foundation’s rural housing and livelihood projects.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Sherub Dorji
