Come August this year, the widening work of the road between Pangrizampa and Chhamina at Kawang Gewog in Thimphu will be completed, according to the Department of Surface Transport. The road, which is also used by the staff and students of Gyalpozhing College of Information and Technology, will be upgraded to Primary National Highway standards. While users have expressed concerns over the prolonged construction, the department assures them that the project will be finished on schedule.
Widening works on the three-kilometre stretch, which is a part of the road initially built for logging purposes, began in July last year.
However, given the prolonged duration of the project and the remaining work, people worry whether it will be completed before summer. They also anticipate further inconveniences as the rainy season approaches.
“I have been regularly using this road since last year to pick up and drop off college students. From my observation, it is not that they are not working, but there has not been enough manpower deployed. A key concern I have is that with summer approaching, driving uphill on this road will become very difficult,” said G.B. Subba, a taxi driver in Thimphu.
“During summer, when it rains, there are inconveniences. It becomes challenging for children going to school and office-goers,” said Dechen Wangmo, a resident of Chhamina, Kawang Gewog.
“Currently, as work is still underway, it is inconvenient for us to use the road from Pangrizampa until we reach the blacktopped section towards GCIT. However, we expect the road to be blacktopped soon,” said Sumjay Tshering, another taxi driver.
However, the officials said that the work could not progress well initially due to budget constraints. Additionally, the regional office said private land disputes over the road widening worsened the situation.
Now that there is a sufficient budget and the dispute has been resolved through land pooling following a consultation meeting, the work is expected to progress smoothly.
“The road will meet the standards of a Primary National Highway, and with people’s support, it will be completed by August this year,” said Chador Gyeltshen, Chief Engineer, Regional Office, Thimphu DoST.
He also said that the installation of reinforced concrete pipes and the construction of retaining walls are underway to prevent damage to private lands.
The government is spending Nu 133 M through the Indian government’s financial assistance to upgrade the road.
Kelzang Chhophyel
Edited by Kipchu
