The 4.2 kilometres bypass road in Ossey on Gelegphu–Zhemgang highway is in bad condition. The Department of Roads (DoR) constructed the bypass road early this year and it was opened to traffic three months ago.
Earlier commuters were happy that with the opening of the bypass road the highway will remain open throughout the year. However, the heavy rains had damaged the bypass at several locations. Falling boulders pose another risk.
“It will benefit us immensely if the base course is done properly. Vehicles get damaged on the way. And it is a big problem when vehicles breakdown in the middle of the journey,” Karma said.
“Road was even worse last time. Base course needs to be done. Our pickup trucks can travel but it is difficult for small cars,” Sangay Khandu said.
DoR opened the bypass temporarily soon after formation cutting to keep the highway open.
“We will resume our work very soon. Firstly we have to carry out our departmental formation cutting. Right now, we could not make it to our design level. For this, we calculated the time frame of two months for its completion and I don’t know whether we can make it or not. We will have to open our traffic on a timely basis. We visited the old site area to open a temporary route but it seems impossible,” Sonam Namgay Wangdi, the Engineer of DoR, said.
Meanwhile, the old route has been completely washed away.
Karma Wangdi
