The blacktopping works on the two kilometres stretch of the Samtse-Sibsoo Secondary National Highway at Ugyentse are almost complete. This would make the ride along the highway more comfortable. Earlier the road remained in poor condition creating numerous problems for commuters and people living along the stretch.
Despite the narrow roads and a few rough stretches, travelling along the Samtse-Sibsoo Secondary National Highway is not much of a problem given any season of the year.
However, upon reaching Ugyentse, drivers have to constantly slow down and watch out for potholes and puddles.
Besides delaying the journey, the road damages cars.
“During monsoon season, a lot of puddles will be formed making the journey a little challenging. And during dry the season, there would be a lot of potholes and it would become very dusty creating numerous problems to the people living along the roads,” said Gado Tshering, a taxi driver.
“Earlier due to bad road conditions, it would take us about three hours to reach from Sibsoo to Samtse. But now, the road condition has improved. We can reach Samtse in about one and a half-hour. However, the only road at Ugyentse is in poor condition,” said Ratna Bdr Galley, another taxi driver.
The bad road has also affected the people living along the stretch.
“Since there were a lot of potholes on the road, puddles form during monsoon season. And when we walk by the roads, we were constantly splashed by dirty waters by various vehicles,” said Meto Seday, a resident of Ugyentse.
“The road was in a very bad condition with a lot of potholes. We also used to face a lot of dirt-related issues. All our homes and the surroundings used to be filled with dust,” said Tshering Gyeltshen, another resident.
“Due to the bad road condition, the surroundings here used to be a lot dirtier and dusty. As such we also had difficulty in attracting customers to our shops as vehicles wouldn’t stop by. We hope to get more customers once the road condition improves,” said Tashi Tshomo, a shopkeeper in Ugyentse.
But these problems are expected to become a thing of the past now. Currently, the Department of Roads is carrying out the blacktopping works on the stretch.
Works are being carried out with the remaining budget of Nu 6 M under the 111th National Day Footprint Initiative. The works are expected to be complete in the next 10 days depending on weather conditions.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
