The residents of Balam and Jurme Gewog in Monggar are frustrated with the poor condition of their gewog centre roads. They shared that the potholes have developed along many stretches and drains have been damaged. The roads have been in bad condition for a few years. There are plans to repair the roads in the 13th Five-Year-Plan.
The 19-kilometre Jurme Gewog Centre road is narrow. And the worsening road condition has added an extra financial burden as the vehicle owners have to carry out maintenance quite often. The road was blacktopped in 2016 and no major maintenance was carried out after that.
“When we travel to Jurme, the road is narrow. During summer, it is risky to travel along. It is a little better during winter. When the road is in bad condition, the maintenance charges take a toll on us,” said Rinchen Chophel, a commuter.
“The gewog centre road has developed potholes. The road condition will improve if they can fill the potholes like it was done on Kengkhar GC road,” said Chogyen Norbu, another commuter.
Similarly, the condition is of no difference with the Balam Gewog Centre road. People said some stretches along the 12-kilometre road need resurfacing.
The Balam road is also crucial for residents of Drametse Gewog as they travel via Balam road to reach Trashigang and Monggar.
“Balam Gewog Centre road has sharp turnings and some stretches are narrow. Rain and water have damaged the road. The government needs to maintain the road. Bushes are also not cleared along the road and there are risks of accidents,” said Yeshi Dorji, a resident.
To this, officials of the gewog administration said that the budget provided by the government is not sufficient to carry out resurfacing works. However, they have plans to carry out maintenance works in the 13th Five-Year-Plan.
“The road condition is deteriorating now. The government provides us a budget of Nu 30,000 per kilometre to maintain the GC roads. The amount is not sufficient. The budget that the government provided us is for clearing bushes and maintaining the drains,” said Tshewang Dorji, Balam Gup.
“The landscape of the gewog road has affected the construction of drains along the road. So, because of these challenges, the road is in bad condition. People have been requesting us time and again asking for maintenance. Although we will face difficulty in carrying out blacktopping work, during my tenure, I will include it in the 13th Five-Year-Plan and fill the potholes,” said Rinchen Norbu, Jurme Gup.
The gewog centre roads benefit farmers to transport their farm produce to the market.
There are about 5,000 residents in the two gewogs.
Karma Wangdi, Monggar
Edited by Tshering Zam
