Residents of Jomotshangkha dungkhag in Samdrup Jongkhar are not happy with the work progress of the Jomotshangkha-Samrang highway construction.
Earlier this year, the government had promised for the highway to be complete within two to three months. But seven months since, Jomotsangkha and Samrang Gewog still remain unconnected. Works were initially started in 2016 by the Department of Roads (DoR) but were handed over to project DANTAK last year who started working on the highway in April this year.
Since the construction of the 58-kilometre highway began in 2016, the DoR was able to clear around 47 kilometres. Works were then handed over to Project DANTAK towards the end of 2019.
Project DANTAK started working on the highway from 26th April this year and carried out maintenance works over the newly cleared road which was damaged by bad weather. However, the remaining 11 kilometres of the highway still remain to be cleared. Officials said heavy rainfall, as well as the national lockdown, hampered works. Meanwhile, the locals remain dejected.
“When works resumed, residents were all happy but project DANTAK is not clearing the road fast. Without any internal road connection, the public of Jomotshangkha is struggling,” said Sonam Dawa, a resident of Jomotshangkha under Samdrup Jongkhar.
“We thought the highway would be ready soon, but work progress is too slow. We are not allowed to travel through the Indian highway these days, so the public is facing lots of problems,” added Tandin Wangmo, also from Jomotshangkha.
“We are not able to go anywhere. We don’t even have a good hospital here, so it will be difficult for patients to get treatment on time. We are also not able to meet our relatives in other dzongkhags who are sick,” shared Pooja Pokhrel, from Jomotshangkha.
Currently, Project DANTAK is carrying out wall construction and road base course works. However, the road construction machinery has all been withdrawn by the project.
And during the Meet the Press today, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lack of workforce. The pandemic has created difficulties in importing foreign workers. Moreover, there is a lack of interest from the Bhutanese as well.
“We could not allow foreign workers as per their requirement. If we had allowed them, the road would have been connected. DANTAK announced vacancies for Bhutanese with a salary of Nu 15,000 to 18,000 with food and lodge for the construction of the road. But none applied. DANTAK also have many sites and we requested them to prioritise deploying at the site,” said Lyonchhen.
Meanwhile, the DoR is carrying out the construction of bridges over the Kalokhola and Nunai Rivers.
With the borders gate closed and no internal road connection, Jomotshangkha dungkhag has been isolated from the rest of the country for about nine months now.
Kinley Wangchuk
