Despite recent blacktopping, residents of Dotey Gewog in Paro say the narrow width of the gewog centre road remains a major concern. The six-kilometre stretch from Damji Zampa to Phushar is too tight for two vehicles to pass in many sections, causing frequent congestion and safety risks. With rising traffic from schools, a college, and tourist sites, residents are calling on the government to prioritise its long-overdue widening.
Built in the 1980s as a farm road, the stretch has since evolved into one of Paro’s busiest local roads. It connects several households, a college, two schools, pilgrimage sites, cottage industries, and farmhouses.
However, the road is only wide enough to accommodate one vehicle at a time in most stretches, leading to tough driving conditions, especially during school hours, tourist seasons, and when larger vehicles like excavators and trucks use the route.
With the recent blacktopping of the road, residents are glad they no longer have to drive on the rough, uneven surface it once was. However, a new concern has emerged: speeding. The smoother road has led some drivers to go faster, raising fears of accidents. Residents worry that without safety measures or widening works, the road continues to pose risks.
“Sometimes, while giving way to oncoming vehicles, our tyres slip off the edge. We are careful, but many drivers, especially those new to driving or unfamiliar with the road, don’t know where to give way, and that causes problems,” said Pushpa Lal Mongar, a taxi driver.
“The road is narrow, and with more vehicles using it, especially with the college nearby, drivers tend to speed, which is a real concern for those of us living along the roadside. My cat was run over recently, and just a few days ago, my dog was too. And we can’t even find out who did it,” said Tilku, a resident, Paro.
“We train people who are just learning to drive and don’t know much about cars. With a river on one side, paddy fields on the other, and the road being so narrow, it’s tough for our learners to stop, give way, or even drive safely,” said Jus Jumar Rai, a driving instructor, Paro.
The gewog administration acknowledges that the road remains a challenge. Although Nu 2.6 M was spent on blacktopping with support from Dopshari Gewog Administration, no funding or concrete plans for widening have been approved yet. The Doteng Gup said widening is a priority, but for now, as they await a budget and formal plan, the focus has been on improving the road’s previously poor condition to make it more usable.
“For us, improving the road has become urgent. Many tourist sites and monasteries are accessed through this route, and the number of vehicles has increased. We hope the government will plan and allocate a budget to widen and improve the road for everyone who uses it,” said Chimi Dorji, Dotey Gup, Paro.
Residents and local leaders remain hopeful, as the issue has been raised in district meetings and other forums.
While the road is now smoother, concerns over its narrow width and growing traffic continue to trouble both drivers and those living along the route.
Karma Samten Wangda, Paro
Edited by Kipchu
