Residents of Wamrong and Thrimshing Dungkhag are urging the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority (BCTA) to establish a base office in Wamrong to deliver vehicle-related services. At present, they must travel more than 100 kilometres to Pema Gatshel, Samdrup Jongkhar or Trashigang to access these services.
Around 700 vehicles are registered in Wamrong and Thrimshing Dungkhag, yet the area does not have a BCTA base office.
As a result, residents travel long distances for essential services.
Vehicle owners make these journeys for licence renewals, vehicle ownership transfers, traffic fine payments and Road Worthiness Certificates.
The BCTA also handles the renewal and replacement of registration certificates, along with learner licence services.
Although some services are available online, many residents prefer to visit the offices in person due to limited awareness and technical knowledge.
“If a base office is established in Wamrong, it will benefit nearly five gewogs — Lumang, Khaling, Thrimshing, Kangpar and even Nanong under Pema Gatshel. Many drivers who visit my workshop say that having an office in Wamrong would be very convenient and beneficial,” said Sonam Gyeltshen, a resident of Thrimshing Gewog, Trashigang.
“I travelled to Pema Gatshel for my driving test. If there were an office in Wamrong, it would be much more convenient. I spent around Nu 1,000 on fuel, besides food and accommodation. It is a burden for us,” said Dorji Wangmo from Lumang Gewog.
“We face difficulties when applying for a new licence, renewing documents and carrying out vehicle fitness checks. Without an office in Wamrong, we must travel long distances, which is a burden for many people. A base office here would make things much easier,” said Karma Dorji from Lumang Gewog.
The Chief Transport Officer of the Monggar Regional Office said the authority has been providing periodic vehicle-related services in Wamrong in the absence of a permanent base office.
He added that the new base office in Wamrong will open within this month, as staff have already been identified and the office location finalised.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
