Like many farm roads across the country, those in Nubi and Tangsibji Gewogs in Trongsa suffer during the monsoon. Heavy rains make roads muddy and difficult to commute on. For farmers who rely on selling their produce, poor road conditions pose a significant hurdle. Now, the issue has caught the attention of politicians. The two candidates contesting the upcoming by-election for the National Assembly have pledged to improve the roads.
Almost all the Chiwog in Nubi-Tangsibji constituency are connected with farm roads and were laid with gravel. These roads have made commuting and transporting farm produce easier.
However, the monsoon reverses these benefits. The roads turn muddy and slippery, making travel more difficult than ever.
In this by-election, both the People’s Democratic Party and Bhutan Tendrel Party candidates have pledged to prioritise road improvements if elected as the National Assembly member.
“We pledge to lay base course on the farm road of Bji, Drengzhing, Chela, Sinphu, Kaba, Dhaba, Pam, Bemji, Gagar and Karzhong. We have also included blacktopping the road from Sherubling to Gewog centre via Karzhong and Thrueselpang in the 13th Five-Year-Plan,” said Tashi Samdrup, Bhutan Tendrel Party’s candidate.
“We will blacktop the road of more than 28 kilometres from Ueling to Mangdephu and over 7 kilometres from Jongthang village to Bemji Gewog Centre. Likewise, we pledge to lay base course on the farm road of Pang and Bemji, Kaba, Dhaba, Simphu, Thang Nyal, Chela, Drengzhing and Tangsibji Chiwog road,” said Phuntsho Dendup, People’s Democratic Party’s candidate.
Some people remain hopeful, while others argue that laying a base course is not enough. They want the roads to be blacktopped.
“We take our vegetables to the market, but our vehicle keeps getting damaged, so we struggle to sell our produce. Our farm road was built a long time ago, and not once has soling been added. If it had been, it would have provided a stronger foundation and prevented the road from deteriorating. Now, with potholes appearing during the rainy season, it’s become very difficult to drive on,” said Kezang Namgay, a resident of Nubi gewog.
“We take our vegetables to sell in town, but the poor road conditions make it difficult. Whatever we earn from selling our produce goes entirely on taxi fares. We’re capable of growing all kinds of vegetables, and with a proper road, we could produce and sell even more. But the current state of the road discourages us from doing more,” added Dechen Dema, another resident of Nubi gewog.
“I know all the places here and the condition of their roads. As a driver, I’ve travelled across the entire Nubi Gewog with my tipper truck. There’s no place without a road, but most are in a similar condition. Some roads have a base course, while others don’t. Yet even those with a base course become difficult to use during the summer,” said Thinley Jamtsho, also a Nubi gewog resident.
The residents of Nubi and Tangsibji hope that this election will bring lasting change.
Better roads would mean easier travel, safer transport of goods, and a boost to local farming livelihoods.
The question now is whether the elected candidates will turn these promises into action.
Changa Dorji, Trongsa
Edited by Sangay Chezom
