Driving is a lot more comfortable on a well-maintained road. However, not everyone can enjoy this luxury with most road networks across the country in bad condition. In Trongsa, commuters travelling between the upper Sherubling and Yueling villages of Nubi Gewog are frustrated with the poor road conditions. The road has been in bad condition with poor drainage for more than four years without any major maintenance.
The road connecting Sherubling and Yueling villages is riddled with numerous potholes. Sand and pebbles have come off the road which means the blacktop has worn off.
“I have to drive through this road frequently when going to the office every morning and to get back home every evening. We do not face many problems in the winter. But in summer, it is difficult to drive as the road becomes muddy due to rain. We would be grateful if the road is maintained,” said Kuenzang Choden, a commuter.
“The tourist vehicles coming toward the resort face challenges. It is also an obstacle for other guests visiting the resort. When the private sector builds hotel and resort for tourists, the government must support us. Government’s support is important for private sector development and for economic progress,” said Pema Namgyel, a hotelier.
Kuenzang Norbu, a resident from Yueling said, “There are potholes on the road starting from Sherubling. In summer, the road is not usable and the condition is not so pleasing in winter either as it turns dusty. It is an issue when power tillers and other vehicles carrying heavy loads have to travel through this kind of road.”
The bumpy and bad condition of the road not only makes driving inconvenient but damages the cars. Some of the residents said that a few cars met with accidents due to the poor road conditions.
Trongsa District’s Chief Engineer Tharchen said, “we have done whatever maintenance work we could do until now. Sherubling is a town. So, we have already planned to widen the road from Sherubling School to Yueling and is the number one priority. But all know that the 12th Five-Year Plan has been completed and the 13th Five-Year Plan has not yet started. Therefore, in between due to budget constraints, we could not do it. Actually, we have serious concerns about it. We hope that we will be able to do it in the first year of the 13th Five-Year Plan.”
The Department of Roads regional office in Trongsa repaired and blacktopped the road in 2018 and handed it over to the district administration.
Sonam Tshering, Trongsa
Edited by Phub Gyem
