Nearly half of the road widening works along the Gangola–Autsho stretch in Lhuentse has been completed. This has brought some relief to commuters as they no longer have to endure disruption and detour along a bumpy and rough route.
The maintenance of the 30-kilometre Secondary National Highway had forced travellers to take a detour through Tsakaling Gewog in Monggar for several months.
The diversion, which added up to two hours to the journey, was in poor condition and became even more challenging during rainy weather.
Kinzang Dorji, the chief engineer of Lingmethang Regional Office, Department of Surface Transport said, “There were many inconveniences, but we could not maintain the route as it was temporary. Moreover, we had limited budget. Our focus was on the highway, and we are spending most of the budget on that road.”
He added that widening works took some time due to rock-cutting works at the Dorjilung site.
“It took us up to four months. Initially, as per work plan, that job was assigned for a period of six months, but we completed it before the deadline. During the widening work, we had to cut 50 metres of the cliff. We faced several challenges. Although there were no causalities, three machines were damaged.”
The overall physical work status of the ongoing road widening from Gangola to Autsho remains at 50 per cent complete with remaining works like laying wet mixed macadam and blacktopping.
Officials are urging travellers to remain cautious and avoid travelling at night, as the area remains vulnerable to falling boulders.
Namgay Wangchuk, Lhuentse
