The farm road to Damkhi-Rinakha Chiwog in Toebisa Gewog, Punakha, is in dire need of maintenance. The condition of the road has deteriorated over the years due to increased usage and a lack of major repairs. Locals also say that the road, which passes along a steep cliff, needs to be widened because its narrow width poses a risk of accidents. Due to the poor condition of the road, locals say it has a significant impact on their livelihoods.
The farm road between Thinlaygang to Damkhi village, which is over seven kilometres long, plays a vital role for the locals. It is used for taking their agricultural produce to the nearby market and transporting their goods. Moreover, they use it to visit their gewog office and the nearby health centre.
However, with the deterioration of the road condition, locals say it poses various challenges to their daily lives. Despite several minor maintenance works being carried out along the road, its condition continues to worsen due to natural wear and tear and a poor drainage system.
Some portions of the road are filled with potholes, while several other sections are covered with raised soling stones, making it difficult to drive. Some say that driving over the stones is challenging, as the uneven surface causes frequent jolts.
“In summer, we have to take all our agricultural produce to Thinleygang to sell them. Sometimes, we even have to take them all the way to Thimphu. But during the rainy season, our road becomes unusable. It’s a road only in name,” said Wangdi, a resident of Damkhi-Rinakha, Toebisa Gewog, Punakha.
“All kinds of crops can grow well in our village. But we have to rely on this single road to take our harvest to the market. Due to its poor condition, our people are often unable to transport their produce,” said Rinchen Wangmo, another resident of Damkhi-Rinakha, Toebisa Gewog, Punakha.
“In summer, when it rains, we cannot even hire other vehicles to come to our village. Drivers complain that the poor road condition damages their vehicles. They say that the cost needed to reach Thimphu is not even enough to reach our village in Rinakha from Thinleygang,” said Tandin Bidha, also a resident, Damkhi-Rinakha, Toebisa Gewog, Punakha.
Some sections of the road have been laid with concrete; however, locals say there is a risk of accidents, as the road is narrow in cliffside areas and passes through steep slopes. People also say that it becomes more vulnerable to accidents during the monsoon season, as the road turns muddy and slippery due to the rain.
We have to honk when driving up or down the steep sections of the road to signal our presence. Sometimes, we even call each other in advance to coordinate our travel plans so we don’t meet unexpectedly. If two vehicles do encounter each other suddenly, there’s no way to pass; the road is so narrow that the only option is to risk going off the edge,” said Wangdi, a resident of Damkhi-Rinakha, Toebisa Gewog, Punakha.
“We face risks while driving along the narrow section laid with concrete below the village. There isn’t enough space to give way when two vehicles meet on the road,” said Sonam Tandin, Damkhi-Rinakha Tshogpa, Toebisa Gewog, Punakha.
The farm road was constructed in 2010. The gewog administration says several maintenance works have been carried out, but could not do any major maintenance due to budget constraints. According to the Gup, his office is prioritising the maintenance works equally in the gewog and expects to develop this farm road within the 13th Five-Year Plan.
“Currently, the road development works are underway in Lemjakha and Goemsa. Next year, we will be doing it in Begana, and right after that, it will be Damkhi-Rinakha Chiwog’s turn. This might fall in the third financial year,” said TsheringPenjor, Gup, Toebisa Gewog.
The chiwog has over 40 households that rely on agriculture for their livelihood. Until the road is fully developed, residents will have to continue coping with its poor condition.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Kipchu
