The long wait for a better road may finally be over for residents of Gomdar and Wangphu gewogs in Samdrup Jongkhar. Improvement works are now underway along the 22-kilometre road from Narphung to Gomdar Gewog Centre to make travel smoother for commuters.
At Kheshingri, a new culvert bridge is being built to tackle a stretch frequently cut off during the monsoon, when the swollen stream washes over the road.
Base course laying is now underway. According to officials from the Department of Surface Transport, the work is on track, with around 40 per cent completed so far.
The improved road is expected to make travel more convenient for residents of Gomdar and Wangphu gewogs, while also making it easier to transport farm produce such as milk, oranges and cardamom to the market.
Kezang Dawa, a resident of Gomdar Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar, said, “It will benefit us a lot. Koufuku comes here to collect our milk, but because of the poor road condition, they often struggle to reach us and collect the milk on time. Once the work is completed, I feel the travel time will be reduced by around 30 minutes.”
Lobzang Dema, also a resident of Gomdar Gewog, said, “Once the work is completed, travelling will become much more convenient. Currently, the road is riddled with potholes, but with a better road, we will be able to travel smoothly.”
Mindu Gyaltshen, another resident of Gomdar Gewog, said, “Currently, they are laying the base course using a roller, and the road condition is already improving. I think once the work is completed, travelling will be much more convenient. The work has now reached up to Gomdar.”
The road improvement work also includes blacktopping, drainage and wall construction.
The project, worth Nu 110 M, is funded under the Bhutan-India Cooperation Project. The work is scheduled for completion by May next year.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Phub Gyem
