A farm road, which is currently under construction in Narang Gewog in Monggar, is a source of constant worry for the people in Rolong. Their anxiousness is not without reason. The construction of the 14- Kilometre farm road has damaged paddy fields, houses and their only irrigation channel.
Some wetlands have been filled with boulders and debris from the road construction site. Falling boulders have also damaged some temporary houses. People are upset and have accused the contractor ofnot carrying out the construction as per the work order.
“During the survey, people gave their public clearance. But later during the construction, some people were affected badly. So they are not happy. It was decided to take the soil and dump it in other places if there are houses nearby, but temporary houses were not considered,” said the Tshogpa, Tshewang Rinzin.
Some said, when the gewog sought their clearance, they were promised a minimal damage.
The construction of the farm road has also caused major damage to their only irrigation channel. The channel has been completely blocked by boulders and debris from the construction site. As a result, people in Rolong could not cultivate paddy, this year.
The Gewog administration says the maintenance of the irrigation channel will be accorded top priority in the eleventh five-year plan. The Narang Gup has said the gewog will also ensure that the contractor provides compensation to people whose huts have been damaged.
The site supervisor working for the contractor, meanwhile, maintains that they have carried out the construction work according to the work order.
