It has been more than 13 years since the residents of Kipse, Bangtsho and Samdrupgatshel constituencies became part of Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde. Residents are still waiting for a basic access road. The absence of roads has left many unable to develop their plots, with several landowners forced to leave their properties vacant and construction plans on hold.
These 15 households of Kipse, Bangtsho and Samdrupgatshel hoped for faster development when they were integrated into Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde in 2011.
More than a decade later, residents say, the hopes are fading. They still lack a proper access road, affecting daily life and halting construction on privately owned plots.
Residents continue to live much like they did in the past, carrying essentials on their backs and depending on footpaths.
“We are paying urban tax. Without roads, we have nothing here. We have to carry everything ourselves. The thromde keeps saying the road will come soon, but it never happens,” said Karchung, a resident.
“We thought the area would be developed under the thromde. Some things have improved, but without road access, everything becomes difficult. They say the road will be constructed soon, but it is taking time. We are hoping the thromde will construct the road soon,” added another resident, Dorji.
Pema Choden, also a resident said,“It is difficult without a road. We are paying taxes like everyone else, but not getting the same services. Other areas have roads, and we are left without one.”
The thromde has planned to construct about 8 kilometres of access roads to connect households and plots in these constituencies.
But today, less than half of the planned roads have been completed.
The thromde administration says unstable terrain is delaying further construction.
Samdrup Jongkhar Thrompon Thinley Namgay said, “If the geotechnical survey is not conducted and we go ahead with the construction of the road as per plans, there are risks to the settlements. The thromde does not have the necessary expertise, so we have requested support from the ministry, and they have agreed to conduct it. We are now waiting for the survey.”
The thromde office did try to continue construction of the planned road, but it proved unstable.
Until the survey is complete and other alternatives are found, residents say, they will continue to face hardships in what is officially an urban area, but in reality, still feels rural.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
