Residents of Dechencholing in Thimphu are still grappling with the aftermath of last year’s flood. The road remains unrepaired, forcing people to live with choking dust and poor road conditions. Despite the ongoing struggles, authorities have yet to provide any clear answers on when repairs will begin.
36-year-old Ambhika Devi Darjee runs a restaurant beside the road that has remained unrepaired.
When the flood hit, it tore through her shop, sweeping a car straight into the restaurant and leaving behind nothing but wreckage. Since then, she and her sister tried to rebuild, but her sister eventually walked away from the business, unable to relive the memories.
Now, Ambhika runs the restaurant alone but faces yet another battle, relentless dust from the damaged road.
Every day, she juggles serving customers while constantly wiping down tables, floors, and even food trays coated in dust.
Despite keeping her doors shut for most of the day, the fine dust seeps in, settling on everything.
“The dust is so thick, we even struggle to attract customers. It is not just about business. My children have to live in these conditions too. It is not just a little dust, there is a lot.”
Other residents share her frustration as they struggle to live in an area where dust has become an unavoidable part of daily life.
Prakash Sewa, a shopkeeper said “It would be great if the road were fixed. Even when I keep my shop doors open for just a short time, everything gets covered in dust. And when I need to restock, the poor road conditions make it difficult. The unrepaired road is creating problems for us in so many ways.”
However, the problems extend beyond just the dust.
Commuters say it is long overdue for the road to be repaired as there are narrow sections, uneven surfaces, and potholes.
Commuters raise concerns about vehicle damage and accidents, especially during rush hours. Many are now urging authorities to restore the road before the situation worsens.
Phurpa, a commuter said “Right now, the main issue is the dust, but when it rains, the road turns muddy. And because of that, it will be hard to see potholes, which could lead to vehicle damage.”
Namgay Rinchen, another commuter said “I have to use this road every day to drop off and pick up my children from school. During rush hours, the poor condition of the unpaved road only makes things worse, and it could even cause accidents.”
Likewise, Thinley Dorji, a taxi driver said “When the road is in this condition, it is a problem. Vehicles pass through here, and children walk along it to get to school. We do not know who is responsible, whether it is the government or the thromde, but I would like them to look into this issue and do something about it.”
To determine who is responsible for the repairs, BBS reached out to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The ministry stated that the responsibility lies with the Thimphu Thromde. However, when BBS contacted the thromde office, officials declined to comment on the matter.
A sense of frustration and uncertainty grows among the residents, as many believe that the authorities have ignored their concerns, leaving them to cope with these issues without any action or resolution.
Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Tshering Zam
