Kanglung town in Trashigang is getting increasingly crowded with a huge number of vehicles plying the Trashigang- Samdrup Jongkhar Highway every day. Without proper designated footpaths and speed breakers along the highway, the residents say the area is growingly prone to accidents.
There are around 11,000 people residing in Kanglung town including students of Sherubtse College and nearby schools, monks, businessmen and villagers. Most of the students walk along the highway to go to schools, college and markets every day. With vehicle numbers on the rise, it is becoming risky for pedestrians.
Only some stretches of the road has designated footpath. And oftentimes, the vehicles are seen speeding. There are not many speed breakers along the highway as well.
Although no fatal accidents or casualties have been reported in recent years, residents feel the need for additional footpaths and speed breakers.
“There are chances that the students can get into accidents when we go to schools since there is no proper footpath and speed breaker along the highway. If there are footpath and speed breakers, we will feel safe walking by the road,” said Sonam Deki Choden, a student.
“We get scared that speeding vehicles will hit us when we go to school. It will be much safer to walk if we have proper footpaths and speed breakers,” said Nima, another student.
“We have discussed the issue with business owners here and we have been requesting speed breakers, for example, in the upper market. There are lots of risks. Many vehicles pass by and then there are students walking along the road,” said Phurpa Thinley, Kanglung Business Representative.
Since Project DANTAK takes care of the Trashigang- Samdrup Jongkhar Highway, the Kanglung Gewog Administration said they discussed with the project about road safety measures few years ago. The gewog administration said Project DANTAK agreed to construct footpaths and provide basic road safety infrastructure covering the entire town. However, the gewog office said the project has only constructed footpaths along the road in the lower part of the town.
“The existing footpath needs to be made bigger. During our discussion with the DANTAK officials, they agreed to construct a 1.5-kilometre-long footpath which they didn’t do. However, we will talk to them once again and request them to construct the footpath and speed breakers along the road,” said Kinzang Dorji, Kanglung Gup.
Project DANTAK said they will take into consideration the concerns shared by the gewog administration and implement the measures as soon as possible.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
