Residents of Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde are frustrated with the bad road condition along Samdrup Jongkhar Toed and Bar constituencies. Residents say the road is in dire need of maintenance. People also said the road’s condition worsens especially when there is heavy rainfall.
During rainy days, the road becomes muddy while on a sunny day, it is dusty.
The road is riddled with potholes and the ride is bumpy. Drivers say they had to spend a lot on maintenance due to the bad condition of the road.
“The road has become worse than a Gewog road. I am not saying they are not working; they are carrying out maintenance. But the road is in bad condition and it is further worsened by the rain. Being a taxi drivers, we have to ply on this road quite often and it is inconvenient,” said Lobzang, a taxi driver.
“Nowadays, the road is filled with potholes. We, the taxi drivers are facing inconveniences. The vehicle requires more maintenance and it takes a lot of time to reach the destination,” said Rinchen Tobgay, another taxi driver.
“We are facing many problems due to the bad road condition. The vehicles require more maintenance,” said Tashi Phuntsho, a resident.
Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde administration says the road is damaged by the ongoing construction of sewerage and water distribution network channel along the road.
The thromde says the contractor who is executing the work will carry out maintenance of the road, once the sewerage construction work is complete.
The project engineer of Chimmi RD Construction, who is executing the construction work says 70 per cent of the work is complete.
Chojay Wangchuk, the project engineer said they are trying to complete the work by November of this year and even if the work is not completed, about five kilometres of road will be blacktopped by November.
He also added that they are carrying out minor maintenance work along the residential areas and sprinkling water on the dusty road.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
