Villagers in five gewogs of Tsirang are now enjoying smooth rides on their farm roads. About 30 kilometres of farm roads in these gewogs have been blacktopped after they received budget for laying Granular Sub-base. According to local leaders, some of the Gewogs financed the blacktopping works on their own. They added that blacktopping is more cost-effective and durable as it requires less maintenance compared to just laying the granular sub-base. The gewog offices initiated the blacktopping work about two years ago.
The eight-kilometre farm road that connects Tsholingkhar Toed and Maed in Tsholingkhar Gewog has been blacktopped recently.
The road is benefiting around 300 households and a few nearby chiwogs giving the villagers improved road access to transport their agricultural and livestock products to the nearby market.
“The blacktopped road is benefiting us. We are happy with the improved road,” said Guman Singh Monger, a taxi driver.
“With the blacktopping, it has become convenient for us when we travel to Damphu town to sell our farm produce. Similarly, the travel time to Thimphu and Gelephuhas been reduced. We are grateful to the government for the support,” said Jigme Namgyal, a resident.
“With a better road, vegetable vendors have started visiting us to buy vegetables. We don’t have to take it to Damphu town by ourselves. Earlier, we often had to walk to the highway since it was difficult to hire taxis. But the situation has changed now,” said Kamal Maya Monger, another resident.
The blacktopping work, which is supposed to be completed by the end of June was completed on Sunday.
Tsholingkhar Gup Passang Tamang said the farm road blacktopping work was prioritized given the huge number of beneficiaries.
“We visited the site and inspected the work every day. This is to ensure good quality. At times, when I was engaged with some other works, the Community Monitoring Assessment Committee of the Gewog and the Road User Group members inspect the works to ensure quality,” said Passang Tamang, Tsholingkhar Gup.
The road was blacktopped spending over Nu 25 M. Tsirang District Administration financed over Nu 18 M from the Phase II Project of laying GSB for farm roads. The Gewog administration funded the remaining amount.
Rangthangling, Patshaling and Gosarling Gewogs also received budget for laying GSB and the Gewog administrations financed the blacktopping works. Whereas in Sergithang Gewog, the farm road was blacktopped as part of the project.
Meanwhile, local leaders of seven other Gewogs in Tsirang where the farm roads are not blacktopped also plan to follow the suit.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Tshering Zam
