The internal road at Bangtsho Demkhong in Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde was damaged by heavy rain in August of last year. The road, since then has been neglected and is now overgrown with bushes. Frustrated by the lack of maintenance, residents are demanding the Thromde Administration to restore the road.
The 800-metre internal road that connects upper Khesangteri to Lower Khesangteri in Bangtsho Demkhong looks almost like an abandoned dry land. Nature has taken over, with the majority of the road covered with bushes.
After heavy rain damaged the culvert bridge last year, the road became unusable.
In 2020, the Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde constructed the road spending more than Nu 7 M.
Residents say that the government’s investment should not go to waste and the community should not suffer from prolonged inconvenience.
Sangay Dorji, a resident of Bangtsho Demkhong said, “the bridge was damaged by heavy rain, last year. Since then, the road has not been repaired. It became impassable. We requested the thromde and they said that they would repair it but it is not happening.”
“Before we used to carry materials on our backs during house construction. With this road, it became easier for us but now that the road is damaged, some individuals who were planning to construct a house are not able to do it,” said Penjor, another resident of Bangtsho Demkhong.
“It has been more than one year, we do not know what is happening. We requested the thromde but there is nothing happening. Many residents use this road. The government has spent a huge amount on this and now the road has become idle,” said Sonam Drupchu, also a resident of Bangtsho Demkhong.
Residents say more than 20 individuals own a plot of land along the road.
Sangay Dorji said, “This road provides us with alternate routes to travel within the town area. We do not have to use the longer route. We know there won’t be a budget to blacktop the road and we want them only to repair the bridge.”
According to the Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde, the restoration of the culvert bridge has been delayed due to budget constraints.
The office estimated around Nu 9 M to carry out repairs on the culvert bridge and construct walls, drains, and other infrastructure along the road.
Currently, the thromde is looking for funds.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
