The Office of the Executive Engineer in Tsirang says people are still unaware of the Road Act while carrying out constructions near the highway despite strict enforcement. A gewog administration office and two people from Dagana and Tsirang were penalized in the last six months for failing to comply with the Road Act of Bhutan 2013. They were fined for constructing unauthorised temporary sheds and damaging the primary and secondary national highways.
The Gozhi Gewog Administration in Dagana was fined for damaging the Tsirang-Dagana secondary national highway caused by spillover water from the poorly constructed drains. A private individual in Tashiding Gewog was also fined for the execution of unauthorised private road construction which damaged the highway. And in Tsirang, a person was penalised for constructing a temporary shed for carpentry works along the national highway.
Officials say despite several sensitisation efforts, many still fail to follow the rules.
“As per the Road Act of Bhutan 2013, individuals are not allowed to start any construction works along the highways. Individuals have to get prior permission from the Department of Roads if they wish to construct a new road or construct temporary sheds. Accordingly, the department will carry out feasibility studies before approving it. Execution of unauthorised construction works along the highways pose risk for both road users and settlers,” said Tandin Penjor, the Road Inspector for Dept. of Roads with the Regional Office in Sarpang.
Officials say they have started strict enforcement of the rules from last year.
“After a thorough inspection, we submit site reports to the committee. The committee then decides the penalties in line with the national wage rate based on the severity of road damages and associated risks as mentioned in the Road Act,” he said.
As the per the Road Act, a distance of at least fifty feet is required to be maintained between the highway and any construction work. But officials say people choose to ignore this rule for better business prospects and accessibility.
“All individuals choose to initiate construction works including houses just adjacent to the highway these days since it is convenient. They construct just next to roads and forget to keep the 50 ft distance. This poses risks as road users keep increasing over the years. Moreover, if we don’t keep the required distance right now, we may land up affecting road widening works in the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, he said constructions of agriculture and vegetable sales counters along the highway are being exempted.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
