Heavy vehicles carrying boulders on the Samtse-Tashichhoeling Secondary National Highway, particularly near the STCBL Fuel Depot in the Dhamdum area, are causing frequent traffic jams and posing significant risks to commuters. Concerned residents are urging authorities to widen the roads, deploy traffic officials, and establish specific travel times for heavy vehicles to prevent potential accidents.
As dusk falls over the Dhamdum STCBL area, the two-way lane next to the fuel depot becomes increasingly congested, with heavy vehicles causing persistent difficulties for smaller vehicle drivers.
At times, the congestion extends to the Dhamdum bridge, which gets occupied by heavy vehicles waiting to load and refuel.
“The heavy vehicles block the entire stretch, causing frequent traffic jams and making it very difficult for small vehicles like ours to pass through. Moreover, the condition of the road is very poor. Widening the road would help, and having traffic police monitor the situation would improve it further,” said Muktar Talley, a resident.
“Additionally, heavy vehicles not only block the entire stretch but also use high beam lights, worsening the situation. Although there have been no accidents so far, if this continues, frequent accidents are likely to occur,” said Karma Wangzin, another resident.
The Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority’s office in Samtse said that they are closely monitoring the situation.
The authority has started issuing fines to heavy vehicles that violate traffic rules, such as carrying overloads and being unfit for the road.
The office also added that they are directing and encouraging heavy vehicles and Indian light vehicles to refuel at the town’s fuel depot to minimise the number of vehicles going to Dhamdum.
Similarly, the Samtse Police said they are constantly monitoring traffic-related issues through surveillance cameras and deploying traffic police to manage congestion as needed.
Meanwhile, the Department of Surface Transport said that the contract for road repairs from Samtse to Diana Bridge in Norbugang, part of the ongoing development of the Norbugang Industrial Park, has been awarded to contractors, with work expected to begin by August.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Sherub Dorji
