The Paachu Bridge has delighted commuters in Paro by connecting the new road along the airport. But sharp curves on both ends of the bridge have also made it dangerous. When passing through, cars either hit each other or the bridge because of the sharp turnings.
The 56-metre Paachu Bridge has been built straight over the river making curves at both ends of the bridge sharp.
This has made it difficult for cars from opposite directions to cross over at the same time, although the bridge has two lanes.
A vehicle has to wait at one end to let the other vehicle to pass by before driving over the bridge. “The bridge is constructed well. But the turnings near the footpath are sharp. When we are driving along the bridge and cars from other end come, the back tyre of the car hits the footpath,” said one of the commuters, Golay.
Others shared similar concerns. Dawa Tshering said: “The turning is sharp and when we meet heavy vehicles at the turning, it is dangerous.”
People say there have been many accidents since the new bridge was opened a few months back. But most of them seem to go unreported. The traffic police in Paro have record of only one motor accident on the bridge.
The Department of Roads (DoR) while admitting the curves were dangerous added speeding is partly to blame for the accidents. They have now installed speed breakers near the bridge to slow down vehicles. The office is also coming up with other measures.
“We have lots of remedial measures like we have started procuring the speed limit signboards in consultation with RSTA. We will inform them while we install those signboards,” said Kinley Dorji, the Executive Director of DoR in Paro.
“Since the road is widened, people tend to speed up while travelling.”
The department is going to make the footpaths smaller to widen the curves. This is expected to start soon. As for the bridge, it seems to serve as a reminder for all to drive within the speed limit no matter how smooth and comfortable the road is.
