“We receive calls from people in emergencies at night to pick them, but we can’t provide the service because the road condition during the rainy season is prone to slides and falling boulders,” said Penjor, a Taxi Driver in Trongsa.
The condition of the road between Trongsa town and Thumangdra or Viewpoint is at its worst, according to the motorists. They say during the downpour, the road condition worsens in some points of those areas and poses a high risk due to falling boulders and frequent roadblocks. The motorists are therefore requesting to either complete the blacktopping works or to minimize the risks of falling boulders and landslides the area.
“The road from Viewpoint till Trongsa town is bad due to stones and rough roads. The boulder, which might fall down anytime, poses a risk. There were times where we had to wait for hours in the roadblock when the machinery, to clear the blockages, could not reach on time,” said YesheyJamtsho, the driver of Zhemgang bus.
“While carrying logs, we have to travel at night, so the falling boulders make it risky when we can’t see at night,” Phub Dorji, a Trucker, said.
“The rocks above might fall anytime. We don’t find people clearing it also. Motorists keep on plying below so there is a risk,” added Tashi Tenzin, a motorist.
The road widening in the areas was awarded in two packages. However the Department of Road officials in Trongsa said due to poor progress, both the contracts were terminated some months ago. And DoR was asked through a letter by the Supreme Court to halt the retendering of contracts till August.
