To help travellers receive real-time roadblock updates on national highways, the Department of Surface Transport launched the Bhutan Road Watch System mobile application. The app also allows the public to send roadblock information directly to the department. According to the department, this new app will help maintain a comprehensive roadblock database. People have welcomed the initiative, saying the app will help them avoid risks and unnecessary delays.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chandra Bahadur Gurung, along with the GovTech Agency secretary and officials from the JICA Bhutan office, launched the app today.
Previously, the department relied on its Facebook presence to disseminate roadblock information, as the earlier Bhutan Road Safety app did not fulfil its intended purpose. Development of the current app began in 2018.
The Bhutan Road Watch System app is available for download on both Play Store and App Store.
Dhan Raj Chhetri, Deputy Executive Engineer of the Department of Surface Transport said “we will able to disseminate information on roadblock caused by natural calamities like landslide and flood, road closure due to road maintenance work and we will also update cautionary information even if the road is not permanently closed.”
On the app, users can click on roads marked with signs to access details such as the road name, location, and estimated time of clearance.
People can also send roadblock information to the department via Facebook Messenger, which will then be updated on the app.
Tshewang Namgay, a heavy vehicle driver said “this would benefit all the drivers. After loading our vehicle from Jaigaon, we directly travel towards Thimphu to arrive at dinner time. So, we get stuck at sudden roadblocks on the way.”
Gyem Tshering, a taxi driver said “the launch of the application would mostly benefit private vehicle owners. They do not know where the roads are blocked, and using the app would provide convenience to them. It would also benefit taxi drivers who are educated.”
The Bhutan Road Watch System was developed under JICA’s “Project for Capacity Development on Countermeasures for Slope Disasters on Roads in Bhutan” with a fund of about Nu 800,000.
Today, the country has over 2,500 kilometres of national highways.
Tashi Chezom
Edited by Sherub Dorji
