As the country is all set to reopen to international tourists from the 23rd of September, people say public infrastructure like roads ought to be improved. In Khoma Gewog of Lhuentse, its Gewog Centre road is the only connectivity to several sacred and tourist sites such as Singye Dzong, Guru Nye and Goenpa Karp. However, it is in desperate need of repair.
The 5.5 Km GC road in Khoma was blacktopped during the financial year 2014-2015. But the present condition of the road is really bad.
The blacktopped portion has disappeared along with most parts of the stretch, making it rough and uneven. Since the road is en route to Singye Dzong, Guru Nye and Goenpa Karp, many international tourists and domestic pilgrims use the road.
According to the Khoma Gewog Administration, at least 1,500 domestic pilgrims trekked to Singye Dzong or the sacred lion fortress annually.
Before the pandemic, a minimum of 600 international tourists visited the gewog every year.
Now, with tourism reopening soon, communities there seek immediate repair of the GC road.
“The GC was in good condition when it was initially blacktopped. But as years went by, it became worse. Now, it takes two hours to reach the gewog office. We hope the gewog would repair the stretch at the earliest as our Gewog will receive foreign tourists,” said one of the residents in Khoma Gewog, Thinley Dorji.
Others cited similar concerns and urged the concerned authorities to renovate the road.
“The GC road has worsened compared to past years. It is challenging to take ailing people via this road. The potholes hinder us drive smoothly and led to an occasional breakdown of our vehicles,” added another resident in Khoma Gewog, Pema Drodhen.
The gewog administration said it does not have enough funds to carry out major maintenance of the GC road. However, it will do minor restoration works such as filling up potholes and levelling of the road surface soon.
Sonam Tshering, Lhuentse
Edited by Pema Lhaden
