By the end of March next year, residents of Phongmey and Radhi Gewogs in Trashigang will benefit from a blacktopped road. Radhi and Phongmey are the first gewogs in Trashigang to receive blacktopping works in nearly a decade. The last major blacktopping in the area was carried out in 2016.
The 17.3-kilometre stretch from Rangjung to Phongmey Gewog has been under improvement since January this year and is nearing completion.
Residents of Radhi and Phongmey Gewogs have been calling for a better road for more than five years. With the work progressing well, they can expect a smoother ride soon.
Granular sub-base has been laid, and construction of roadside drainage is currently underway. Bitumen works are expected to begin by mid of next month.
“It usually takes about three hours to reach Trashigang. Now, we hope the travel time will be reduced to around one and a half hours. We had a blacktopped road before, but the drainage was poor. This area receives heavy rainfall, and rainwater often flows onto the road, damaging it. This time, the drainage system looks much better, and I hope the road will be blacktopped properly and last longer,” said Phurpa Wangdi, Resident, Radhi Gewog, Trashigang.
“I can see that the granular sub-base and drainage works are being done properly. Officials are visiting the site regularly to monitor the work, and we are hopeful of getting a high-quality blacktopped road this time,” said Dorji Drakpa, Resident, Radhi Gewog, Trashigang.
Once complete, the road will benefit more than 1,400 households across four gewogs, including Phongmey, Radhi, Merak, and parts of Sakteng.
The project is being implemented by the Department of Surface Transport through its regional office in Trashigang at a cost of over Nu 93 M. It is funded by the Indian Government.
Similar blacktopping works are also planned for Bidung and Kangpar Gewogs, along with road improvement works in Sakteng Gewog.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Sonam Pem
