Despite multiple efforts over the past few years, improvement work along the Lauri Dzongkhag road, previously known as Gewog centre road in Samdrup Jongkhar has remained incomplete. Frequent delays and stalled projects have forced villagers to endure a rough and bumpy ride.
The blacktopping work of the 36-kilometre Lauri Dzongkhag road began in 2020 with a budget of more than 110 million ngultrum.
The project was divided into three phases and awarded to two contractors.
Only 12 kilometres under phase three were completed, while work under the two other phases failed to start resulting in the termination of the contract in 2023.
To resume the project, the district administration awarded a new contract last year to lay paver blocks over six kilometres with a cost of more than Nu 22 M.
The contractor said the heavy monsoon delayed the progress. In January, the Jomori Hydro Power Project requested the district administration to suspend laying of paver blocks, citing damage that could be caused by heavy vehicles.
Paver blocks were laid over a 40-metre stretch on trial but the contractor said the district administration asked him to halt the work.
The district administration declined to comment on the matter.
Amidst these setbacks, residents of Lauri continue to face challenges due to poor road conditions.
Dawa Zangpo, a resident said “I am not sure if it is due to limited budget or the contractors’ inability. The road is in poor condition, our vehicles often get damaged and repairing them is costly. If the road improvement work could be completed, we would be grateful.”
Ugyen Tshering, another resident said “We face inconveniences due to the road. If we are supposed to reach Jomotshangkha by 8 AM we end up getting there around 12 noon because of the poor road.”
Likewise, Ngawang Dorji said “Road connectivity is important for developmental activities. We have a road, but it is in poor condition. Vehicles get damaged so often that many owners have stopped using them. Both Serthig and Lauri gewogs are facing problems with bad roads.”
In a letter, Jomori Hydro Power project stated that necessary widening would be carried out by the project wherever required, during the project construction period.
Meanwhile, of 36 kilometres, 30 kilometres have been handed over to the Department of Surface Transport. According to the department, no major maintenance work is carried out due to the ongoing Jomori Hydro Power Project construction.
An official from the Department of Surface Transport added that many commuters are now using a bypass constructed by the Jomori project, avoiding the Dzongkhag road. So, as requested by some villagers, the department is also assessing on taking over Zamteri farm road which connects Lauri Gewog with the bypass.
For now, the villagers of Lauri Gewog must continue their difficult journey on the unfinished road improvement work.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
