Locals of Kewanang-Tshachhuphu Chiwog under Toedwang Gewog in Punakha are not happy with the farm road condition. With the increasing number of commuters, the condition has worsened over the years. The poor road condition has not only impacted the livelihoods of the locals but also posed risk and damage to the vehicles plying on it.
Today, only high clearance vehicles ply on the road due to its poor condition. Most of the stretches are filled with potholes with no proper drainage system along the road.
Today, the 15-kilometre farm road benefits more than thirty households in the chiwog for transporting goods and vegetables to the nearest market.
“The poor road condition has only intensified our problems. We can’t take our farm produce for sale in the market. And it’s more saddening when we have to carry those who fall sick during the summer season,” said Phuntsho, a local of the chiwog.
“Forget about small cars, even boleros are getting damaged. And due to this, the fares we get from the passengers are hardly enough to cover up the expenses for the vehicle damage. We can’t even charge high fares as their livelihoods are equally affected by the bad road condition,” added Phub Rigzin, another local.
Likewise, people visiting Chhubu Tshachu, a popular hot spring in the district, also ply through the farm road. They said a good road condition would encourage more people to visit which in turn would boost the local economy.
“The road condition is extremely bad and it’s out of the question for the small cars to ply through. We had to send our vehicle back home and take a ride in a bolero,” said Sonam Tshering, a hot spring visitor.
However, the bumpy rides are soon expected to be over. The Toedwang Gewog Administration has proposed Nu 18 M to the government for road maintenance.
“We will carry out road maintenance works in the financial year 2020-2021. Although the farm road won’t be blacktopped, it will be surfaced with granular sub-base. Likewise, if the budget is sufficient, we will lay the base course,” said Tawchung, the Toedwang Gup.
The farm road was constructed in 2010.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
