Some district roads, previously known as gewog centre roads, have deteriorated so badly that they are now worse than some farm roads in rural areas. These roads are meant to connect gewogs to district centres, but the road conditions have drastically declined over the years. The Sergithang district road in Tsirang is one such example. Today, the road condition is in dire need of maintenance. Raising safety concerns, frustrated road users are calling for urgent improvement.
Large and deep potholes cover the entire 12-kilometre stretch of the road, making travel bumpy and unsafe. The worst section lies between the Pungtenchhu Gewog tri-junction and Tashithang Chiwog in Sergithang. In many parts, the blacktop has completely worn off, leaving a surface as rough as an abandoned farm road.
More than 300 households in Sergithang Gewog rely on the road, along with residents of Pungtenchhu and parts of Tsirang Toed Gewogs. It is especially important for those travelling to Thimphu, via the blacktopped Sergithang-Burichhu bypass.
“We send our children to Tsirang Toed Central School and access advanced healthcare services at the Tsirang Toed Hospital. But the poor road condition poses a serious problem. People have to hire boleros to travel to Tsirang Toed, but we have only limited boleros in the gewog,” said Phub Dorji, Sergithang Gup, Tsirang.
“The road has developed potholes everywhere, and it is very difficult for light vehicles. We have to use the road daily to drop off and pick up our school-going children from school. Sometimes we have to reverse two or three times and put stones under the tyres just to get through,” said Ugyen Dorji, Resident, Tsirang Toed Gewog, Tsirang.
“The entire road is damaged. Light vehicles often break down in the middle of the road because of deep potholes. It is a serious issue for us,” said D. N Darjee, Resident, Pungtenchhu Gewog, Tsirang.
“Travelling via Sergithang Gewog is shorter than going through Damphu when we travel to Thimphu. We regularly use this road to transport vegetables, but the road is really bad. An improved road will help us a lot,” said D.B. Darjee, Resident, Pungtenchhu Gewog, Tsirang.
The road users say Sergithang road hasn’t seen any major repairs since it was first blacktopped over a decade ago. With road improvement works currently underway along the Tsirang Toed district road, they are urging the government to extend similar upgrades till Sergithang Gewog centre.
Meanwhile, the Sergithang Gup said the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has agreed to allocate budget to improve the road.
“As we requested, the minister has verbally agreed to allocate additional budget for the road improvement. But we are not sure when it will be released. Residents of both Sergithang and Pungtenchhu Gewogs are hopeful for the budget,” said Phub Dorji, Sergithang Gup, Tsirang.
Sergithang is located over 45 kilometres from the Tsirang district centre, making it the farthest from the district’s 12 gewogs.
Residents say having an improved road would not only ensure a smooth ride but also help connect the gewog with the district headquarters.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Sonam Pem
