Local Leaders in Tsirang claim blacktopping farm roads are more beneficial and cost-efficient compared to just laying the Granular Sub Base (GSB) on the farm roads. GSB is constructing the foundation of the road and not blacktopping it. Although blacktopping roads require more budget, farm roads without blacktopping get damaged faster and require frequent repairing which costs more money. With all the gewog centre roads blacktopped, the gewogs are now focusing on blacktopping farm roads in their chiwogs.
Blacktopping of more than 5.5 kilometres of farm road between Pemathang and Phuensoomgang in Gosarling Gewog was recently completed. This has around 130 households in the two chiwogs. The improved roads will benefit the farmers in selling their farm produce.
“We grow vegetables and produce a variety of dairy products. Earlier, it was difficult for us to sell our farm produce due to the poor road conditions,” said Julendra Neopaney, a farmer in Pemathang.
“The farm road was constructed some five years ago, but it was difficult for vehicles to ply through especially during summer. So we had to carry the vegetables on our backs till the highway but now we don’t have to worry about it,” added Bhupal Thapa, another farmer.
According to Gosarling’s gup, since the budget was only for laying of GSB, they had to accommodate the additional expenses from the gewog’s budget.
“We received a budget to lay GSB for about five kilometres of the farm road. But instead of just the GSB, we decided to blacktop the road. Only laying the GSB doesn’t last very long. Besides the Dzongkhag’s budget, we also topped up around Nu 4.3 M from the gewog budget,” said Ram Bdr. Karki, the Gosarling Gup.
Similarly, farm roads in Chhudzomsa and Dharchhargang chiwogs in Patshaling and Rangthangling gewogs were also blacktopped respectively.
“It now takes us less time when we travel to Damphu especially while visiting Damphu hospital. Vehicle maintenances have also gone down drastically,” said Lok Bdr. Gurung, a farmer in Patshaling gewog.
“The road has benefited over 35 households in my chiwog. Earlier, farmers had to transport their farm produce on their backs because of the poor road condition. But now they don’t have to,” added Dil Bdr. Tamang, another farmer.
“After the roads were blacktopped, there wasn’t a single report of the road being damaged by rainfall,” added Chabi Kumar Rai, the Patshaling Gup.
Meanwhile, according to the Dzongkhag Administration, what the gewog offices have done is within their jurisdiction.
“There is a provision, which allows the gewog administrations to choose blacktopping farm roads over just laying the GSB. So in keeping with the decentralization policy, we approved blacktopping the roads through the Dzongkhag Tshogdu,” said Karma Wangmo, the district’s Planning Officer.
The Dzongkhag received Nu 115 M in the current financial year to lay GSB on over 70 kilometres of farm roads.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
