Bangtsho has been part of Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde since 2011. But for the residents, urban life felt a bit distant, with the road to their homes existing only as a promise. Now, that promise is finally being fulfilled, ending years of anticipation.
On paper, Bangtsho is part of Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde. On the ground, for the residents, getting home from the highway has meant a walk of more than 15 minutes.
This is finally changing. The long-awaited road is taking shape.
The formation cutting is complete, and the rest of the works will begin soon.
Residents said that while some facilities improved in the area, without road access, everything remained difficult.
“Life was difficult without a road. We had to carry home almost everything ourselves. Now, with the road, transporting goods will be more convenient,” said Kapchi, a resident of Bangtsho Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde.
“We are hoping that this access road will benefit us immensely. Hence, we can transport construction materials such as timber and stones more easily to our land and homes,” said Sonam Wangdi, another resident of Bangtsho, Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde.
The Thromde is spending around Nu 9 M to construct the road, stretching over half a kilometre. It is expected to be ready by March next year.
“It was already included in the approved Local Area Plan. But due to budget constraints, its construction could not take off. There are about 20 plots in the area. With no budget available, we sought funding from the Government of India under the High Impact Community Development Project,” said Thinley Namgay, Samdrup Jongkhar Thrompon.
Currently, there are around four households living in Bangtsho. But with the road, construction is expected to pick up in the rest of the plots.
While a road may not make a town, for the residents who have waited for over a decade, it is a start to hauling loads by hand to driving their vehicles to the doorstep.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
