Residents of several villages in Chhukha’s Bjabchho Gewog are eagerly awaiting the long-overdue repair of their farm road. Villagers have been facing difficulty while transporting their farm produce due to the poor road condition. They said if the road is improved, it will significantly boost agricultural activities and improve livelihoods.
Farmers here grow a wide variety of crops and vegetables. However, they have been facing challenges due to the deteriorating condition of the road.
During the monsoon, the road becomes slippery, riddled with deep potholes, making it nearly impossible for farmers to transport their produce to the market on time.
Many say, their harvests have suffered because of it.
Penjor Dorji, a resident said “The condition of the road is bad. And when it rains, the road becomes a mud pool. It is difficult for vehicles to ply. Light vehicles cannot travel on it and heavy vehicles make the condition worse. This affects us in taking our farm produce to the market.”
But now, hope is finally on the horizon.
With the upcoming project to upgrade the nine-kilometre stretch using cement, the community is filled with anticipation.
Tashi, Bjabchho Gup said “If we do not get this project, the road will become unusable by the end of this monsoon. The main source of income for our people here is potato and the deteriorating condition of the road has been a major concern. Now with the project, people are excited.”
According to the gup, the road benefits more than one hundred households in Bjabchho, Tashi Gatshel and Mebisa chiwogs.
With the raw materials and machinery already at the site, the works are expected to start in a few days.
The road will be upgraded with the 18 million ngultrum fund allocated under the High Impact Community Development Projects, previously known as the Small Development Project. A portion of the fund will also be used to improve another road in the gewog.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
