The people are calling for immediate action by relevant authorities to repair a stretch of road along the highway in Samdrup Jongkhar. About nine kilometres of the highway are in a poor state with half of the road washed away at one location. The road is used not only by people in the district but also by travellers from about five other districts.
Heavy rain in July caused severe damage to the road stretch, causing half of the road to be washed away in an area which is about 14 kilometres away from Samdrup Jongkhar town towards Dewathang.
Commuters say unless immediate action is taken, the road condition will only worsen leading to increased risk for travelers.
It is very risky here, we travel carrying loads and we feel scared when we drive through this part. This is a highway, all the vehicles going to the Eastern Dzongkhags travel through here,” said Sangay Tempa, a commuter.
“We feel scared driving through here, the road condition has become dangerous. Other parts of the road are also not good. It would be great if the Thromde could do the repairs as soon as possible,” said Sonam Tobgay, a taxi driver.
It is getting difficult especially for heavy vehicles to drive through here. If maintenance works had been done, the road wouldn’t have become this bad,” said Sangay Cheda, another commuter.
But the problem is expected to be solved soon. The Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde Administration says plans are underway to construct a 21-meter-long wall and a culvert bridge at the location where half of the road has been washed away. Currently, the administration is in the process of tendering the work.
Furthermore, the Thromde intends to resurface the whole of the nine-kilometer stretch.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
