Once the blacktopping of Chhimung Gewog Centre road in Pema Gatshel is complete, the entire gewog centre road network in the district would have been blacktopped. Residents are all smiles with the blacktopping expected to be finished by the mid of next month after initial hiccups. They said blacktopped roads significantly improve access to healthcare and market.
The blacktopping work was given to two contractors in three packages. Only one of them was able to complete the work on time.
After the contractor who was carrying out works for the other two packages failed to meet the deadline, the contracts were terminated.
“It was delayed as he could not get labourers during the pandemic. For that, we gave him time extension. But he could not complete the work again. We gave him another extension on the condition that he complete the work with a set target. Even then, the contractor failed to complete the work, that’s why we had to terminate the contract as per the tender rules,” said Yeshi Wangdi, Chhimung Gup.
The work has now been awarded to another contractor recently.
Works on the ten-kilometre stretch between Thungo to Yurung Gewog Centre is in full swing.
People are already taking advantage of the improved road.
“In the past, we had to drive really slowly due to potholes on the road. Today, we can reach our destination quickly. We are happy now,” said Lungten, a resident.
“As the road is being blacktopped, we hope that the vehicle owners would reduce fares,” said Bumchu Wangdi, another resident.
“With the road blacktopped now, we can reach the hospital within two hours. It used to take four hours in the past,” said Yeshi Wangdi, Chhimung Gup.
The blacktopping of the 26-kilometre Chhimung Gewog Centre road started in 2020.
The blacktopping work is done spending over Nu 108 M. Almost 100 households of Chhimung and Yurung Gewogs will be benefited once the work is complete.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Tshering Zam
