Commuters travelling along the Trashigang-Samdrup Jongkhar highway are calling for a complete blacktop over the entire stretch of the road. Over 90 per cent of the widening and blacktopping work of the highway is complete. However, around 10 kilometres stretch between Mukhazor in Trashigang and Tshelingkhor in Pema Gatshel has remained without a blacktop for some years. Road users said it is inconvenient as the stretch is bumpy.
As soon as one reaches Mukhazor from Trashigang towards Samdrup Jongkhar, the bumpy and dusty ride starts.
During summer, without a blacktop, the road is mostly muddy.
The commuters say the road was widened some years ago but remained without a blacktop.
“During summer, the road becomes marshy and in winter it is dusty. Moreover, our vehicles consume more fuel and maintenance expenditure becomes high due to the bumpy ride. This stretch has been left without a blacktop and I do not know why it is left like that,” said Thukten, a driver.
“If the blacktopping work is carried out at the earliest, it will benefit all. The dust from the road is causing a lot of problems for us. There is a high chance of getting disease,” said Kelzang, a shopkeeper.
“Some portion of the area falls under Pema Gatshel but the stretch is mostly used by the people of Trashigang. The road remained without blacktop for years so, this time if they do not carry out the works, I am going to raise the concern in the Dzongkhag Tshogdu,” said Kinzang Dorji, Kanglung Gup.
The issue of slow work progress of the Trashigang-Samdrup Jongkhar road widening and blacktopping was also raised during one of the previous National Assembly sessions.
The DANTAK officials based in Samdrup Jongkhar say the works such as widening and construction of drains are completed. Officials added the supply of materials for the blacktopping was awarded to a local contractor in August last year. The contractor has established crushing units to supply the materials.
DANTAK officials say the blacktopping work will be completed within this year.
The 180-kilometre Trashigang-Samdrup Jongkhar highway widening and blacktopping work initially started in 2007.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tshering Zam
