Plans are underway to widen the Trongsa-Gelephu highway. Officials said around 30 kilometres of the highway will be widened starting next year. Although it is a primary national highway, currently, the road is narrow and in poor condition.
The highway was constructed in 1980. Until now, the road has never been widened, except for minor maintenance carried out on certain stretches.
Today, road users and travellers say the condition has deteriorated along many parts of the highway, making it difficult to drive.
Currently, people say there are not many road users, probably due to the risks posed by the poor road conditions.
Rinchen Dorji, a commuter from Dzongkhalum said, “Due to the narrow road, there is a risk of boulders falling on the vehicles. Moreover, vehicles might fall off the road. There is thick fog along the road. For me, I use this road to pick up and drop off my school-going children. Earlier, there were talks about widening the road, but it has never happened.”
Sonam Tshering, Commuter, Taktse-Tashidingkha, Dragteng Gewog said, “There is a risk of losing control when two vehicles pass each other on the narrow road, especially at turning points. We would be grateful if the road could be widened.”
Likewise, another commuter Rinchen Wangdi said, “Sometimes, it is difficult to see vehicles coming from the other side because the road is very narrow. Quite often, vehicles nearly collide and there is also a chance of falling off the edge. Therefore, we would be grateful if the government could carry out road expansion work soon.”
Zungchu, a taxi driver said, “Firstly, the road is narrow. Secondly, it often remains foggy. Thirdly, there are many turns and there are no signals or safety lights along the road. Therefore, we face many problems while driving.”
However, these problems are expected to be solved. The government plans to improve and expand the highway up to Reyphel, in Dragteng Gewog from Trongsa town, covering around 30 kilometres.
According to the regional office of the Department of Surface Transport in Trongsa, the road widening work will begin early next year with an approved budget of Nu 1bn.
The completion date of the project has not yet been finalised.
However, there are no plans for the remaining 160 kilometres of the highway in this Five-Year Plan.
Changa Dorji, Trongsa
Edited by Tshering Zam
