The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay officially launched the Gewog connectivity road black topping works in Trashigang on Friday. The Riju-Bartsham road is the first black-topping project in the east. It will benefit more than 400 households.
The black-topping works began for the 20.5 kilometre Bartsham-Riju Gewog Center road in Trashigang. This marks the beginning of gewog connectivity road black-topping works across the country.
The black-topping of the Bartsham-Riju gewog connectivity road is expected to cost Nu.36 MN.
The road, constructed about 40 years ago, Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, said should last for another 40 years after the black-topping. The Prime Minister also emphasized on the quality of works and said the Gewog administration should monitor the works.
“The owner of the road is the people and its’ not only about looking after it when the works are complete. Like the local leader, people should also take ownership of the road while blacktopping works are being carried out.”
The Works and Human Settlement Minister, Dorji Choden said the Department of Roads over the years has developed capacities. “There are good engineers, there are good site engineers in the site offices manned by competent engineers.”
Lyonpo said the management will be done by the department through their field divisions. She said they have also taken in additional engineers for supervisory works. “So we now have set standards.”
Of 205 gewogs, 96 have blacktopped roads.
The government will carry out blacktopping for 1700 kilometers of Gewog Center Roads in 105 Gewogs within the 11FYP.
The project is financed by the Government of India at a cost of over Nu.2.6 BN.
