Most farm roads in the country are slippery, muddy and inaccessible in summer, and turn into a source of dust in winter. So was the farm road of Yoezergang, Tashichoeling and Pemachoeling chiwogs in Tareythang Gewog in Sarpang until recently. The road is now blacktopped to the delight of the residents.
The farm road connecting the three chiwogs of Yoezergang, Tashichoeling and Pemachoeling is more than a decade old. While it has served the purpose of connecting the villages with the market, the price they paid was sometimes too high.
With the settlement spread along the road, it was not very healthy for the residents when the road remained dusty throughout the dry season. However, they will no longer have to go through this with the farm road recently blacktopped.
“The Farm road was there before we resettled. But without blacktopping, the dust used to be the main problem in the past. We are now happy that the blacktopping solved this problem,” said Tenzin Namgyel, in Pemachoeling.
The 4.2-kilometre farm road blacktopping was carried out at a cost of Nu 22 M under the Small Development Project fund.
“Now we don’t have to worry about our vehicle getting stuck or skidding during the monsoon. We hope the road remains good throughout the season henceforth,” added Chhimi Rinzin, also in Pemachoeling.
They also say the road remains blocked most of the time in the summer cutting off the village from the Gelephu. They are now optimistic that the blacktopped road will ensure that the traffic is not interrupted. However, time alone will tell how long the road will remain smooth, but they will reap the benefits this season and the next at least.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Sonam