After years of navigating potholes and dust, residents of Dzomlingthang and Dechen Pelri in Sarpang are finally travelling on a newly blacktopped road. Of the three packages under the six-kilometre road project, two have been completed, with the remaining section expected to finish soon.
For years, residents relied on a badly damaged farm road to reach Gelephu town. Although a base course was laid in 2016, limited budgets meant only minor maintenance, causing daily inconvenience and higher transport costs.
Major redevelopment finally began in March last year under Gelephu Thromde, as part of the Gelephu Mindfulness City projects, which also include Gyenyen Neykhang and Shambala Dzong at Phulari.
Of the six kilometres divided into three packages, two are complete. The upgraded road has brought smoother, safer travel, especially for Dzomlingthang residents.
But several households say they no longer have direct access to their homes. Residents say this affects daily movement and poses challenges during emergencies.
“It’s inconvenient, so we use concrete slabs as a temporary solution. We place them during the day and remove them in the evening because it’s unsafe,” said Tenzin Norbu, Resident, Dzomlingthang, Gelephu Gewog, Sarpang.
“We had direct access to the road before the reconstruction, but no provision was kept afterwards. We’re unsure how access will be restored. There have been talks of using a community road, but it was dismantled, and now we have to park our vehicles along the main road,” said Dawa Tamang, resident of Dzomlingthang, Gelephu Gewog, Sarpang.
Responding to the concerns, the Governor of Gelephu Mindfulness City said it is not feasible to provide direct access from the main road to every household.
“The earlier exit points made the road narrower and were also visually unappealing. Vehicles were scraping against them, which is why their removal was requested and has now been carried out. In coordination with the thromde office, we will now construct proper entry and exit points for community roads, designed with gentle curves and lowered levels so vehicles can move smoothly. Once these access roads are completed, the connecting sections at the back will be blacktopped,” said Dasho, Dr Lotay Tshering, Governor.
“Parking spaces will be developed based on the number of households, accommodating around six vehicles for five households and about fifteen vehicles for ten households. Streetlights will also be installed,” the Governor added.
For now, the Nu 195 M project, funded by the Royal Government of Bhutan, is in its final stage, with the last package currently under implementation. Officials said the entire project is expected to be completed by March.
For residents who have endured years of poor road conditions, the new blacktopped road has already brought relief. Yet, many believe the project’s success will ultimately depend on how quickly access and parking issues are resolved.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Passang Dorji
