Concerned over frequent accidents, residents of Paro are urging authorities to install proper safety infrastructure along the four-kilometre highway stretch from the district court to Lamgong. They say measures such as streetlights, speed bumps, pedestrian walkways, and zebra crossings are urgently needed to make the busy road safer for commuters, pedestrians, and cattle.
The highway, connecting Paro town to Drugyel, caters to a high volume of traffic, including office-goers, students, taxis, buses, tourists and cattle.
In total, 62 accidents along the stretch were recorded in the past five years. These included 17 single-vehicle accidents, 17 two-vehicle collisions, 16 vehicle-animal collisions, 9 hit-and-run cases, and 3 pedestrian accidents.
The lack of infrastructure, such as designated pedestrian lanes, forces individuals to walk along the edge of the road, often in proximity to speeding vehicles. Cattle walk freely on the busy highway, blocking traffic and risking collisions with vehicles.
The situation worsens after sunset. Visibility drops significantly due to the absence of streetlights. Drivers say they are compelled to use low-beam headlights to avoid blinding oncoming traffic, which results in poor visibility.
On the other hand, they say using high beams impairs the vision of oncoming drivers. This has led to growing concerns about the safety of both commuters and pedestrians.
Residents and regular commuters are calling for immediate intervention from relevant authorities.
“Most accidents happen at night, but even daytime driving is risky. We urgently need speed bumps and streetlights, especially for night travel,” said Lam Chencho, a resident of Paro.
“When cars approach from the opposite direction, we can’t see the cattle and horses along the roadside. At night, with headlights glaring, visibility drops to zero. Streetlights would make a huge difference,” said Pema Dorji, a taxi driver in Paro.
“It’s a lose-lose for drivers. If you hit a cow, the owner demands compensation, and you still have to pay to fix your own car,” said Tshering Dorji, another resident of Paro.
Police say they conduct speed checks and inspections regularly, noting accidents have declined in the past two years. However, residents argue the highway still poses risks.
Officials said no formal discussions have been held yet regarding the construction of new infrastructure along the stretch.
With no concrete decision yet on installing safety infrastructure, police urge drivers to remain cautious, citing speeding, drunk driving, and unlicensed driving as major causes of accidents on the stretch.
Karma Samten Wangda, Paro
Edited by Kipchu
