Local leaders in Dagana want the Department of Roads (DoR) sub-division office in Tsendagang in Dagana to continue looking after the 44-kilometre road stretch between Dagapela and Soonkosh. The highway was once taken care of by the DoR sub-division office in Tsendagang but since last year, the Tsirang DoR took over. The issue was raised in the Dagana Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT) last month.
According to the local leaders, it is difficult for the people to avail themselves of roadblock related services from the DoR office in Tsirang. They said especially during summer, the highway reports several roadblocks which requires urgent attention.
“The highway is in Dagana and if the DoR office in Tsirang takes charge of it, it will be inconvenient for us. The Works and Human Settlement Ministry decided for their own convenience but it has implications on us. Therefore, we would be grateful if the road is taken care of by the Tsendagang DoR office like in the past,” said Karma Tshering, Drukjeygang Gup.
“Earlier, we can contact the DoR officials in Tsendagang for the services. But now it will be difficult for the DoR officials from Tsirang to reach on time when it is a roadblock,” said Namgay Pelden, Tashiding Gup.
However, officials from the Department of Roads said, Tsirang DoR looks after the highway to balance the workload between the two sub-division offices. They said it is to improve the service delivery.
As per the DoR’s guideline, a sub-division office is mandated to look after a 150-kilometre of road.
“At the moment, Dagapela-Lhamoi Dzingkha road is under construction and once it is complete, it has to be taken care of by Tsendagang DoR office. Similarly, the office is also taking care of an 18-kilometre Lhamoi Dzingkha-Raidak road. Meantime, the DoR office in Tsirang is taking care of fewer road lengths,” said Arjun Bdr. Katwal, assistant engineer of DoR Sub-division office in Tsirang.
He added that the subdivision office in Tsirang has been attending roadblock duties regularly since the office has established a section office in Tashiding Gewog, which is located between Dagapela and Soonkosh.
After an intensive deliberation, the DT decided to forward the matter to the Works and Human Settlement for necessary interventions.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
