The Merak Gewog Administration in Trashigang has written a letter to the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry seeking intervention to inspect the quality of the blacktop on the gewog centre or GC road. Portions of the road have worn out after blacktopping started last year. The works to blacktop the 36-kilometre GC road commenced in two phases in 2020 spending Nu 147 M.
In the first phase, the 19-kilometre stretch of the GC road between Merak Gewog Centre and Shetimi was blacktopped.
While some portions of the blacktopped road and drainage are well set without any issue, around five kilometres of the blacktopped road and eight kilometres of drainage constructed in swampy and marshy areas were damaged.
Residents say although travel time has reduced with the road blacktopped, they are worried about its durability.
The gewog administration has also written letters to the Trashigang District Administration as well as the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport for early intervention.
“Compared to other gewogs, the quality of the blacktop along the Merak road seems poor as some portion of the road started wearing out after a year of blacktopping. Even the drains started getting damaged. The drain between Gyengo and Merak seems fine, however, the one in the Thumburla and Jigmeling is damaged,” said Jomo, a resident.
“The drainage is damaged before it is even handed over to the gewog office. Similarly, the blacktopped road started developing potholes which they tried to fill up but we can see gravels coming off again. If the drainage is not properly constructed, the road is bound to suffer damages due to erosion,” said Phuntsho Wangdi, another resident.
“Our gewog office did not have technical experts to monitor the road quality and requirement, so we have sent letters to the district and the ministry for timely intervention before handing-taking of the road begins. The government has spent a lot on our part, to make sure that the road can be used for a longer duration, we sent letters seeking their expertise,” said Tenzin Dorji, Merak Maed Tshogpa.
According to the site engineer, besides monitoring they have sought the technical expertise of the Department of Surface Transport’s office in Trashigang to inspect the quality of the road which was found normal during the time of inspection.
The engineer also said that a few stretches of the road got damaged as they are in marshy areas and it was further worsened by snowfall.
The contractor has agreed to repair the damages by next month during the one-year liability period. The blacktopping work along the remaining 17-kilometre stretch is also almost completed.
The works on the 19-kilometre stretch started in October 2020 and the works along the 17-kilometre stretch began in April 2021.
Works were to be completed within 24 months since commencement but were delayed due to the pandemic and unfavourable weather conditions.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
