With the Gelephu Mindfulness City expected to bring more traffic to southern Bhutan, widening works have begun along a key section of the Tsirang–Sarpang Primary National Highway. The 33-kilometre stretch from Daraychu to Shaychamthang is being upgraded to improve safety and ease travel on a route long known for its narrow bends and bottlenecks.
At Relangthang in Tsirang, vehicles wait patiently as excavators carve into mountainsides and workers clear earth along the roadside.
The temporary disruptions are part of a major effort to transform a stretch of road long known for its sharp bends and narrow carriageway.
Once completed, the road from Relangthang to Gaychu will be widened. For many years, much of the route was narrower, making it difficult especially heavy trucks, to pass safely.
“Currently, we are working to widen the road and carry out dumping works too. The monsoon season makes the work challenging. During heavy rain we stop and resume once conditions improve. We are trying our best and hope to complete the works within the deadline,” said Domchu Tshering, a surveyor with Chimi RD Construction.
Many believe the upgraded highway will finally solve a problem that has affected travellers for years.
Jitman Rai, a resident of Sarpang said, “Once the road is complete, it will no longer be difficult for vehicles to travel through this area. Earlier, the road was narrow, and many large vehicles would get stuck here, creating problems for everyone.”
Another resident, Tashi Tenzin said, “The road is manageable now, but it is good to see improvements happening with the development of Gelephu Mindfulness City. We are happy that better roads are coming.”
According to the Department of Surface Transport, work has begun in phases, with two sections currently under construction. The remaining phases are expected to start soon.
The stretch between Daraychu and Shaychamthang is being upgraded at a cost of about Nu 914 M through the Government of India’s Project Tied Assistance.
For now, travellers may have to wait a little longer at roadblocks. But with every truckload of earth moved and every metre widened, a road once known for bottlenecks and blind bends is steadily being reshaped for the future.
Passang Dorji/Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
