In Samdrup Jongkhar, the works to blacktop Lauri Gewog Centre road remain incomplete causing inconveniences to the villagers. The works have not resumed after the Samdrup Jongkhar District Administration terminated the contractor in March last year.
Only about 12km of the road are blacktopped.
The remaining 24km stretch has yet to be paved. Some part of the stretch is filled with potholes. The stretch sometimes gets muddy, making it difficult for the commuters to ply by.
The Samdrup Jongkhar District Administration awarded the blacktopping works to two contractors in May 2020. The works were divided into three phases.
However, since the contractor covering phases 1 and 2 failed to meet the deadline, the contract was terminated. Since then blacktopping work has been stalled.
“Gewog administration says the district will tender the work again. But with bad road conditions, people here are struggling. We have to repair the vehicle now and then. We also spend more on fuel,” said Pema Thinley, a resident.
“They have started the works but it’s incomplete. We do not know what the problem is. I think they should complete the work that they have started. We would be grateful,” said Tashi Tshering, another resident.
“The contractor laid the base course but he couldn’t continue the works. There is not much problem in winter but during summer, the roads get muddy and slippery. Small vehicles cannot ply on the road,” added Phurba Dorji, a resident.
According to the district engineer, the work could not resume immediately after contract termination as the district administration had to adjust bills and settle other construction-related work with the contractor.
The district is now planning to pave the road with concrete due to its durability.
The district engineer says the works to pave a six-kilometre stretch with concrete will be awarded to a new contractor in a week or two.
However, for the remaining 18km, the gewog administration is looking for funds.
Lauri Gup, Jigme Tshewang said, “We have some amount to recover from the old contractor. We are also exploring to get funds from the government. We have been discussing it with the district tender committee.”
Lauri Gewog was connected with a road in 2015. Since then, it has been benefiting more than 500 families of Lauri Gewog. The road also benefits some parts of Serthig Gewog.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
