All farm roads in the country will be surfaced with granular sub-base (GSB) as per the government’s Economic Contingency Plan. The first phase, which is expected to lay out over 1,500 kilometres of farm road with GSB, began in July. However, in Samtse, the Local Government leaders are concerned about the longevity of farm roads with GSB.
The 15 gewogs in Samtse have received close to Nu 200 M in the first phase. The amount is expected to lay out about 100 kilometres of farm roads in the district with GSB. But torrential summer rain is what worries the local leaders.
“Most farm roads are on a steeper gradient, and because of this reason, we are doubtful how GSB on farm roads will be beneficial. If it is mandatory to lay the base course, then we must blacktop the farm roads. Just the base course will only be of use for about five months, and it will be a waste of government resource,” said Nima Dukpa, the Chairperson for Samtse Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
“We get heavy rains here. If we just lay the base course and keep, the rain will wash it away. A farm road is only eligible for V-shaped drain, but here it is not at all working. When it rains heavily, the V-shaped drains cannot hold water and the spillage washes of the road,” added Sameer Giri, the Tashichhoeling Gup under Samtse.
The road leading to Pemaling Gewog is the prime example of why local leaders in Samtse are sceptical of base coursing farm roads. The gewog centre road was blacktopped properly in the past, but when the monsoon comes even the blacktopped portion have been washed away.
In places where the farm roads are on plain lands, GSB may not be even necessary. However, the budget does have some leeway and gewogs are trying to work around it.
“For our gewog, we have decided not to go with GSB. Rather we will lay stone soling. This, we thought, was more sustainable compared to GSB and will allow us to make use of the budget efficiently,” said Rinchen Dorji, the Norgaygang Gup under Samtse.
“What I suggest is that the farm roads be blacktopped on the GSB, if possible by the Government. If not, it would be wise to do stone soling and make a proper drainage system. That would be the best,” said Sangay Penjor, the Mangmi of Pemaling Gewog.
In a few gewogs like Tading, Dophuchhen, and Phuentshogpelri, old and stable farm roads have been chosen to lay GSB. While roads are essential, most gups shared that drainage along the road should be equally prioritised.
Sherub Dorji
