Unlike in the past, the livelihood of the people of Lawa-Lamga and Rukha Chiwogs of Wangdue Phodrang’s Athang Gewog has improved drastically after their farm road was laid with Granular Sub Base, GSB. Though the chiwogs were connected with a farm road around eight years ago, the road could not serve its purpose due to its deteriorating condition over the years. However, residents now enjoy smooth rides with the improvement works having been completed.
Unlike in the past, people can now easily drive to these two chiwogs. The improved road has shortened the driving duration by almost half an hour now.
These chiwogs were first connected with a power tiller track in 2006 and later upgraded to a farm road in 2016. The road, a diversion from the Tsirang-Wangdue highway is around 22 km long.
Later, locals began to face problems, as the road condition began to deteriorate gradually. It became riddled with potholes in several locations Likewise, no major renovation could be carried out due to budget constraints.
Thanks to the improvement work, the road is in much better shape now. Besides GSB, drains have also been constructed by spending around Nu 44 M.
Chokila, a farmer in Athang said, “Our road issues have been completely solved now. It is more like a blacktopped road now. Earlier, we used to take at least one and a half hours to reach the main road from our village. But now, we take only around 40 to 50 minutes. It has become quite convenient for us.”
“Earlier, even if someone got sick in the village, it was difficult to reach the hospital. This led to deaths. Likewise, many succumbed to injuries as well. But today, whenever we face such problems, we can immediately take them to the hospital,” said Tsagay, a farmer in Athang.
“Not only the heavy vehicles but even light vehicles have also been extremely benefitted by the improved road. This road not only benefits the people of two chiwogs but also other road users. Now I can see that our road has become more even than the highway at Taksha,” said Tashi Dorji, a resident of Athang Gewog.
With the road improved now, vendors visit the villages to buy agricultural produce. Earlier, most of the fruits and vegetables used to get wasted due to transportation problems. Similarly, locals say people are also visiting their villages for leisure.
“Earlier, we have to carry the fruits on our backs. But today, vehicles are directly coming to our doorsteps. It has become so convenient for us. We are just plucking them from the trees and selling to the vendors directly,” Chokila added.
Athang Gup Dawa Gyeltshen said, “Our people should take ownership of the road and they should take care of it. The Gewog Administration would have some budget for farm road maintenance works but in case the road gets damaged due to their carelessness, we will not release the budget for maintenance. They will have to do it themselves.”
The eight-month-long project of GSB-laying work was completed in October last year. The road benefits more than 75 households of the two chiwogs.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Kipchu
