Increasing delays in public infrastructure projects continue to plague the country. Last year, the audit highlighted that construction projects are riddled with delays, defective work, and inefficient monitoring and supervision. One such example is the Shengana and Dzomi Dzongkhag road in Punakha.
The road should have been ready last month. It starts from Khuruthang bridge and ends at Shenga Bjemi gewog in Punakha. The government of India is pumping in some Nu 54 M. The project includes blacktopping the road and constructing side drainage systems.
The base course, drainage system and retaining walls are said to be complete, but the road is filled with potholes.
Cars slow down trying to dodge the potholes.
The improvement work on the 13-kilometre road began in November last year. But the work was stopped two months ago due to the monsoon season. The contractor also could not procure bitumen as planned due to the increase in its price. However, after the government approved the revised bitumen cost, the contractor has procured the material.
Bitumen prices almost doubled, rising from about Nu 50,000 to almost Nu 100,000 per metric ton.
“When it rains, the rainwater flows onto the road, damaging the base course and making potholes on the road. Even the blacktops are wearing off from the road. So, the road condition is poor,” said Kinley Namgay, a resident of Dzomi Gewog.
Another resident from the gewog, Kinley Tshering, said, “There are potholes along the road, and it is difficult to see how deep they are when it rains. When vehicles drive over them without realising their depth, they often hit the underside of the vehicles. Therefore, we would be highly grateful if the road improvement work could be completed as soon as possible.”
The work will resume soon. Before starting the bitumen works, the contractor has been asked to rectify the base course and prepare the site by the end of this month.
The narrow road is another issue.
“Sometimes, we find ourselves in difficult situations where we cannot even reverse because there are vehicles too close behind. I have seen many vehicles getting into accidents in such situations. Since the country is developing, we would be grateful if the road could be widened accordingly,” said Kinley Namgay.
“It is difficult for two vehicles to give way. There is also a high risk of loaded vehicles losing control and getting into accidents while ascending the road. Therefore, we would be grateful if the road improvement work could be completed at the earliest,” added Kinley Tshering.
However, there is no plan to widen the road, as it passes through several private lands.
The completion date has now been pushed to November this year. Residents and motorists hope the extended deadline will finally bring much-needed relief.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
