To ease growing traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety concerns, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, in collaboration with the Thimphu Thromde, is upgrading roads and infrastructure. A major facelift is underway along the Babesa expressway, part of an urban planning initiative under review by the Department of Human Settlement.
Since last month, the Thimphu Thromde has been implementing changes along the Babesa expressway.
Infrastructure and transport minister Chandra Bdr. Gurung, during the recent Meet the Press Session, said the changes include installing new traffic signage, repainting road markings, and replacing speed bumps with gentler humps in areas such as near the Penchu car wash and the Zimdra Suzuki showroom.
“We are concerned about the increasing traffic congestion in Thimphu. Our zebra crossings are also not consistent; some are raised while others are flat, which inconveniences drivers. Therefore, we are upgrading them.”
The minister added that taxis are a major cause of Thimphu’s traffic congestion. Thimphu has over 3,000 taxis, accounting for about half of the country’s total taxi population.
The Thromde also plans to install new footbridges or pedestrian overpasses along the highway to improve pedestrian safety.
“Upgrading zebra crossings alone cannot solve traffic congestion. We are also planning to construct additional footbridges, and key locations for these have been identified. We would like to assure that road safety is at the top of the agenda,” added the minister.
The proposed sites for footbridge construction include the Druk School junction, Lungtenzampa, and Changjiji bus stop, among others.
The infrastructure and transport minister said the upgrades align with the Thimphu Structure Plan and Low Emission Transport Master Plan.
These improvements are expected to ease traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety.
Deki Lhazom
Edited by Sonam Pem
