The blacktopping of the Khothakpa to Durungri highway in Pema Gatshel is finally underway. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday, bringing hope to the people of Shumar and Khar Gewogs. The 61-kilometre road will be improved and paved by the end of next year.
The blacktopping of the highway has been a regular agenda for the Pema Gatshel Dzongkhag Tshogdu. The issue has been raised in the past sessions without any concrete progress.
People say trucks ferrying gypsum and coal from Samdrup Jongkhar and Khothakpa to Nganglam damage the road in summer.
The upgraded road will not only benefit the people of Khar and Shumar Gewogs but also the entire district. Besides reducing dust for those residing nearby, it will shorten the travel time for commuters.
The road is a part of the Pema Gatshel-Nganglam Secondary National Highway.
A budget of around Nu 520 M has been allocated for its improvement, which will be carried out by Project DANTAK.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Sonam Pem
