The people of Pangthang-Ritsangdung Chiwog in Kanglung Gewog in Trashigang have been waiting for a major farm road maintenance for years. The road has become rough and bumpy causing inconveniences to the travellers. The road condition further worsens during monsoon as the road gets filled with water due to poor drainage.
The drain along the farm road which is almost two-decade-old has been damaged. Runoff can be seen flowing over the road.
Although the village farm road group and the gewog administration carried out some maintenance, most parts of the road are in bad shape.
Farmers said they have to pay more when they hire vehicles for transporting vegetables during monsoon due to the road condition.
“If the farm road is in good condition, then the drivers also immediately agree to travel along the road. But ours is not in good condition. Because of that, taxis are charging us more. If the road is in good condition then, it will be convenient,” said Sangay Dorji, a resident.
“Without a base course, we are facing problem during summer. The road becomes muddy and slippery. The farmers here cultivate vegetables on large scale and we face transportation problems during summer,” said Tobgay, another resident.
“We cannot carry any passengers while returning from the village as our vehicles get hit. Moreover, we have to spend more on maintenance,” said Ugyen Wangdi, a taxi driver.
The Kanglung gup said they could not carry out Granular Sub-Base or GSB laying work along the road due to other prioritised works.
“If the government provide us the budget, then we will do the GSB work. Usually, the government release the budget in the mid of the year. The gewog office decides which farm road needs GSB but all the tendering process is done by the district administration,” said Kinzang Dorji, Kanglung Gup.
The farm road benefits more than 1,000 residents of Pangthang- Ritshangdung Chiwog.
If everything goes as planned, the road could get Granular Sub-Base within this year.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tshering Zam
