With the road widening work between Pangrizampa and Chhamina at Kawang Gewog in Thimphu complete, people now have a smoother and safer journey. The road, upgraded to Primary National Highway standards, is now wider, fully blacktopped and designed to improve driving safety and traffic flow.
The three-kilometre road is used daily by hundreds of commuters. It was originally built for logging. It was narrow and unpaved, becoming muddy in summer and slippery with ice in winter.
Following the upgrade, residents and commuters report a safe, smooth, and reliable road for daily travel.
“For those of us without personal vehicles, getting a taxi is now easier and cheaper. Earlier, taxis were reluctant to come here because the road was muddy in summer and icy in winter,” said Gyeltshen, a resident of Kawang Gewog.
Another resident Namgay said, “There is a huge difference between the road we had in the past and what we have now. Thanks to His Majesty The King, we now have a road comparable to those in towns. We are extremely happy.”
“In the past, even reaching town took a long time. The road was icy in winter and muddy in summer. Now, it is wider, and we feel more connected to Thimphu, rather than living in a remote village,” said Ugyen Wangmo, also a resident of Kawang Gewog.
Concrete pipes and retaining walls were built to protect nearby private land from damage.
The widening works, which began in July last year, were completed last week. The Department of Surface Transport, under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, carried out the project with financial support from the Government of India.
The project, initially approved at a budget of 133 million Ngultrum, was completed at nearly 126 million Ngultrum.
“This road falls under the Primary National Highway category, similar to the east-west highway between Thimphu and Trashigang. The Regional Office and the Department of Surface Transport have ensured that it meets all government quality standards,” said Chador Gyeltshen, the chief engineer with Thimphu Regional Office, DoST.
The upgraded road not only enhances daily commuting for some 400 households but also strengthens connectivity to Thimphu, supports local institutions, and promotes overall development in the area.
Kelzang Chhophyel
Edited by Sangay Chezom
