Residents of Tsamang Gewog, Monggar are disappointed with the poor blacktopped quality of their Gewog Centre (GC) road.
After completion of blacktopping works, the road was handed over to the government almost a year ago. However, the present condition of the stretch is- several potholes have formed and hairline cracks have developed.
The blacktopping of 21km began in 2015 and the work was carried out in two different packages. The first package included blacktopping 11km stretch from Yongkola till Gangtho and the second one featured blacktopping work from Gangtho to Banjar-where the gewog centre office is located.
However, villagers pointed out that while the first package was carried out well, the second one compromised the quality.
“We informed the supervisors regarding the poor quality of work while the project was going on. But they turned deaf ear to us. See now, potholes and cracks have appeared in the surface,” said one of the farmers, Naksila.
He also said some villagers even complained about the issue to the contractor but to no avail. “Potholes have appeared, so traveling along the route will be difficult. I am not sure whether the government will repair the road or not,” he continued.
His village mates shared similar concerns. Thinley Pelzang said: “We are worried that they might not reap transport benefits. Some portions of the road are not blacktopped at all.” Also, alongside the road, there is no drain for rain water to flow, he added.
However, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Todden Construction Company, Chencho Gyeltshen maintains that the quality of work was never compromised. He attributed “unfavorable weather and lack of proper drains alongside the road deteriorated the quality. Potholes have appeared in marshy area.”
The company assured that the road will be rehabilitated before the cooling period of the project ends. Currently, the company is engaged in blacktopping of Boomdeling Gewog Centre road. But the company said no budget was allocated for constructing a complete drainage system next to the GC road. The Government of India under Small Development Project funded over Nu 63m for the blacktopping of Tsamang GC road.
