With people from abroad and within the country visiting Gelephu to explore the emerging Gelephu Mindfulness City, efforts are underway to rid Gelephu Thromde roads of potholes. These ongoing works are part of the Sarpang district’s commitment to enhancing road connectivity, ensuring uninterrupted Internet access, and fostering a rabies-free environment within the Gelephu Mindfulness City Special Administrative Region.
Residents of the Gelephu Thromde are delighted with the recent developments, saying they have long awaited the opportunity to drive on pothole-free roads in and around the Thromde area.
“Before, the roads were narrow and filled with potholes. It was difficult to give way to oncoming vehicles. But now the roads are better and broader,” said Gyem Lham, a resident of Gelephu.
“They have completed about 30 per cent of the work. The road is better now compared to the past,” said Sonam Penjor, also a resident of Gelephu.
“About a month earlier, the roads in town and along the highway were horrible. I could experience a lot of changes in a short period. Taxi drivers used to take time when we call them during emergencies, now they arrive quicker,” said Tika Ram Archaja, another resident of Gelephu.
The Gelephu Thrompon said the road network in the Thromde needs to be improved, as guests from foreign countries and within are coming to Sarpang daily for the Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Blacktopping works began at the border gate and extended for over three kilometres towards Shetikhari on the Gelephu-Trongsa highway.
“Every day, the number of visitors is increasing. So, the road is one amenity, which we cannot do without. Our target is to keep roads in Gelephu Thromde pothole-free,” said Tshering Norbu, Gelephu Thrompon.
The government is funding the maintenance works, which cost over Nu 21 M. The works are expected to be completed within this month.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Sherub Dorji
