In Dagana, the administrative jurisdiction over the Sunkosh-Dagapela secondary national highway was once again deliberated during the Dagana Dzongkhag Tshogdu on Wednesday. This time, the Dagana District Administration proposed that the Department of Surface Transport’s sub-division in Tsendagang, Dagapela, take charge of the highway. At present, the sub-division office in Tsirang is responsible for its maintenance and services.
The Department of Surface Transport’s sub-division office in Tsendagang, Dagapela, managed the over 40-kilometre Sunkosh-Dagapela road until 2020. After that, the responsibility was transferred to the Tsirang sub-division, as each sub-division office is required to oversee 150 kilometres of roads.
Dagana Dzongda said the proposal to return the road to the Tsendagang office is to improve coordination and communication between the district and the sub-division office, ensuring smoother and efficient road services.
He added that the roadside public structures, such as the one in Rigsumgang, have been neglected as monitoring from Tsirang is difficult.
“When the road’s administrative jurisdiction is kept under the Department of Surface Transport’s sub-division in Tsirang, at times, they fail to monitor the road. As a result, it affects the public service delivery. Therefore, it would be convenient if the Department of Surface Transport’s sub-division in Tsendagang in Dagapela oversees the road,” said Tashi Tobgay, Dagana Dzongda.
The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, who is from the district and attended the Dzongkhag Tshogdu as an observer, told the house that the ministry will review such cases nationwide, including the Sunksoh-Dagapela road’s jurisdiction.
“Until today, each sub-division office has been overseeing 150 kilometres of road. But I have been emphasising that the number of kilometres should now be increased. For now, the ministry will look into the matter across the country as other districts might be having similar issues,” said Chandra Bdr. Gurung, Infrastructure and Transport Minister.
Meanwhile, an official from the Department of Surface Transport’s sub-division office in Tsirang said a section office has been set up in Dagana’s Drujeygang Gewog, staffed with a site engineer.
The official added that the office has been providing road-related and other services on time.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
Edited by Sonam Pem
