One of the oldest farm roads in Trashigang, the Rangzhikhar farm road is in need of major maintenance. The people of Rangzhikhar-Sardang Chiwog want the 13 kilometres road to be blacktopped at the earliest possible. Some stretches of the road were constructed some 60 years ago.
A stretch of the eight-kilometre Rangzhikhar farm road was constructed in the 1960s by Project DANTAK. An additional five-kilometre stretch was constructed by a private individual till Rangzhikhar Goenpa, a decade ago.
Although the farm road was improved after laying the base course, rain has damaged the road.
“The road was constructed when I was 12 years old. Laying of the base course has benefitted us, however, I think blacktopping the road will improve the road further. Laying of base course and maintaining it time and again is expensive,” said Karma, a resident.
“The monsoon has damaged the road and it is in bad condition now. Although we used to clear the drains, we cannot do it always as we have to do farm works. Laying base course is not effective as it comes off fast. The road was constructed before I was born. So, we would be grateful if it is blacktopped,” said Sangay, another resident.
Though Samkhar Gup acknowledged the need for blacktopping, he said the Gewog administration does not have the required budget.
He added that it is not included in the 13th Five-Year-Plan as well. However, the Gewog office is planning to propose it to the next elected government.
The farm road benefits more than 100 households of Rangzhikhar-Sardang and Chazam-Pam Chiwogs in Samkhar Gewog. It is also used by the people visiting Rangzhikhar Goenpa.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tshering Zam
