The prolonged maintenance work has worsened the road condition between Bangtsho and Samdrup Gatshel constituencies in Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde. Although the works began about two years ago, the progress is slow. The residents said the maintenance work needs to speed up before the onset of the monsoon.
This two-kilometre dusty road is the most used stretch that leads to Dewathang Hospital, School, and Jigme Namgyel Engineering College. The maintenance work started in January 2020 and was supposed to complete in April last year.
“When it rains it becomes all muddy and in winter it is full of dust. I always keep my doors closed due to the dust. And it is worse during school time, the students have to face a lot of problems as a result of the bad road condition,” said Pema Wangdi, a resident.
“It is giving us a lot of problems. The road between Ramtsham and school is full of dust this time. The dust settles when the Thromde pours water. But again, everything is back to square one,” said Sangay Dorji, another resident.
The Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde extended the contract period three times and scheduled the completion in January this year. But the contractor said frequent lockdowns delayed the maintenance work. Moreover, they could not get skilled workers and materials on time amid the pandemic.
However, they are planning to complete the maintenance work within three months if the monsoon does not hamper their work.
The Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde is spending about Nu 39 M for the maintenance works that include road widening, blacktopping, footpath construction and installation of street lights among others.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sonam Pem
