Jadingkha village in Thimphu’s Maedwang Gewog now has a blacktopped farm road completed nine months ahead of schedule. It is the first project completed under Phase I of the High Impact Community Development Project in Thimphu. After quality checks, the district administration officially handed it over to the people yesterday.
Stretching six kilometres, the farm road from Chimithangka Lhakhang to Jadingkha village was constructed in 2018.
The Indian government funded the Nu 12 M project, which was scheduled to be completed in 11 months by February next year. But the contractor completed it in just two months after starting in April.
District engineers confirmed the blacktop was 40 milimetre thick as required. They also verified that the Wet Mix Macadam (WMM) layer, made by mixing crushed stones with water and binding materials, was properly laid across the 3.5metre road width.
The road will benefit 36 households in Upper and Lower Jadingkha and Jelakha Dzong, providing all-weather access for this organic farming community.
“Before the road was blacktopped, we had to pay around Nu 1,800 to hire a vehicle, even though it is just about four kilometres from the junction. Now, the taxi fare has dropped to around Nu 500 to 600. I am thankful, as it has become much more convenient for us,” said Rinchen Sonam, a resident of Lower Jadingkha.
“In the past, even though there was a road, vehicles couldn’t pass through during the summer. We had to push them or carry our vegetables ourselves to sell at the market. Sometimes, we even had to leave vehicles stranded on the road. Now that the road is blacktopped, we are really happy, it has made life much easier,” said Tshering Dema, a resident of Upper Jadingkha.“
Before, when we travelled at night, we often had to walk and leave our vehicles behind. Boleros and Hiluxes couldn’t pass through this road. Vehicles would get stuck in the mud or hit stones, causing damage and losses for the owners. Now, it’s much better and safer,” said Deo Kumar Biswa, a resident of Lower Jadingkha.
The project included blacktopping, WMM, GSB, and drainage and was jointly carried out by the Gewog and district administrations through open bidding on the e-GP system.
This is one of 14 projects under Phase I of the High Impact Community Development Project in Thimphu for the 2024–2026 fiscal year. Worth Nu 147.5 M, the projects focus on road improvement, blacktopping, and bridge construction.
For the people of Jadingkha, the road is more than just blacktop. It means better access, new opportunities, and a step toward a stronger economy.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sonam Pem
