People of Korphu Gewog in Trongsa are all smiles. Their days of riding the bumpy Gewog Connectivity Road is almost over. The blacktopping of the road is nearing completion. Only about seven kilometres stretch of the road at Wangdigang is left. The 19-kilometre GC road had missed several deadlines since the works first began in 2016.
Among the many happy with the road’s condition is 78-year-old Pema Gyeltshen from Nabi village. He is travelling towards the gewog office to attend the Damngoi Zomdu. Unlike in the past, he is overjoyed with the road’s current condition.“The vehicles do not get damaged when the road is blacktopped. We can also enjoy the ride.”
Until last year, it was a struggle for the commuters to travel on the GC road, especially during rainy season.
“With the road blacktopped, it has become easier for the residents to market agriculture produce such as vegetables and cardamom,” said Phurba Wangdi, a resident of Korphu Gewog.
“Around seven kilometres road at Wangdigang is yet to be blacktopped. We are hopeful that they will carry out quality blacktopping on the remaining stretch as well,” said Jangchub Pelzang, another resident of the gewog.
“The stretch of the road from Nyimzhong till Reotala is risky as the road is steep with sharp turns. So, we would be happy if that stretch could be improved as well,” said Sonam Dorji, another resident of the gewog.
About 80 percent of the works have been completed so far. The Department of Road’s office said the contract will be terminated if the contractor fails to complete the works before the year ends. The road was supposed to be complete in June this year. However, the deadline was extended due to labour shortage amid the pandemic. The roads department awarded the contract worth about 35 million ngultrum to the current contractor after the previous contractor failed to complete the works despite missing several deadlines.
Korphu GC road is the last GC road to be blacktopped in Trongsa.
Passang, Trongsa
