Road projects are implemented to improve accessibility. However, in Chungkha and Togtokha villages under Bongo Gewog in Chhukha, it has become a different story. With the implementation of a farm road improvement project in these villages since September last year, the condition of the road has rather worsened. Today, hardly any vehicle can travel on the road.
The 26-kilometre farm road connects Chungkha and Togtokha villages to the Thimphu-Phuentsholing Highway. The road which is supposed to be completed by the end of this month is muddy and murky.
The road improvement project that includes the laying of granular sub-base, reinforcement and drainage works started in September last year. The eight-month project that was supposed to end in May, was extended by three months with some additional work.
But considering the current condition of the road, people are worried.
“Before the project started, small cars could ply the road without any issues. Now with the project, forget about the small cars, even Bolero pickup trucks can hardly ply on this road. We also feel the drain is not constructed in accordance with the standard,” said Nima, a resident of Chungkha, Bongo Gewog.
“People were so happy when the project came. We thought with this huge budget, we would have a very good road. But now it is the opposite. Forget about driving cars, it is even difficult to walk on this road,” said Nidup Dorji, another resident.
“If they just repair the road by putting some soil and gravel, the condition would get worse when it rains. So, it is not fair when the government invests so much money on the project and here, it is not benefitting the people,” said Tashi Dorji, a resident.
One of the main concerns of the people is in times of emergency when ambulances cannot drive along the road. People said they also raised their concerns to the district administration but they said nothing has been done.
However, according to the officials, they have attended to the resident’s issues several times. People also accused the Chungkha-Chhasilakha Tshogpa of getting involved in the contract works of the road. But the Tsogpa denied the claims.
“My brother participated in the sub-contract works of the road. And since we are from the same household, people feel that I am taking up the contract work. After people started saying that I am also involved, I stopped my brother from doing the work. And about the road, I don’t think people will accept the work if it does not meet the required standards. So people need not have to worry,” said Kencho, Chungkha-Chhasilakha Tshogpa.
Recently, the Infrastructure and Transport minister accompanied by Chhukha’s National Assembly Member of Parliament and district officials also visited the chiwogs and met with the people to talk about the issue. The district officials said the minister has recommended them to look into extending the deadline of the project.
According to the minister, about six kilometres of the road are so bad that no car can ply it. The minister said he will again go back to check on the work progress after a few months.
Meanwhile, the contractor said he carried out the work in accordance with the Dzongkhag Level Tender Committee’s requirement. He also said the duration given for the work was less. So, he said they had to carry out the work even in the rain during which heavy vehicles hampered the road condition. He further added that the rain has affected the work.
However, he assured that the work would be carried out properly in accordance with the standards. The project is being implemented at a cost of over Nu 38 M.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Kipchu
