The Pema Gatshel-Nganglam highway has yet to be fully blacktopped. However, an eight-kilometre stretch between Belnang Goenpa to Migkuri, which has recently been blacktopped, four months ahead of the deadline, has delighted the residents. In the past, the road was riddled with potholes and there were incidents of vehicles being hit by shooting stones.
With the completion of the blacktopping works, residents are happy with the benefits the road has brought to them. Project DANTAK started the blacktopping works on the single-lane road in January this year. The works were later subcontracted to a local company called KD Builders which finished the project.
“It is benefitting the drivers and nearby residents. In the past, the road condition wasn’t good and our vehicles used to sustain damages,” said Lobzang Dorji, a commuter.
“Earlier, when vehicles passed by, the place used to become so dusty, affecting the people living along the road. We no longer face this problem now,” said Pema Zangmo, Serduwa Tshogpa.
“In the past, trucks carrying cement and gypsum used to face difficulties due to the bad condition of the road. With a better road now, they say, their difficulties are eased,” said Dorji Wangda, a resident.
The project was carried out with a budget of over Nu 72 M. Meanwhile, officials from Project DANTAK said that they have also submitted the Detailed Project Report to the government for blacktopping the remaining 34 kilometres of the highway.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Kipchu
