The need for an internal motor road is felt by residents of Jomotshangkha Dungkhag more than ever with the border gates closed and the Dungkhag literally isolated from the rest of the country. Recently four officials of Mountain Hazelnut walked the 15-hour journey back to the Dungkhag via Merak Gewog.
They were stuck in Samdrup Jongkhar during the time of border gate closure. And with no motor road to reach the Dungkhag, they chose to go back by the ancient trail from Merak on foot.
“We are not allowed to travel on Indian highway, and it is difficult for us, we have to travel on foot via Merak Gewog for almost 15 hours and it is very difficult,” shared Sangay in Jomotshangkha.
“Without an internal road, some people are stuck at Samdrup Jongkhar, Trashigang, Thimphu and other places and they had to come back via Merak gewog on foot and it is difficult for them,” said Tenzin, the Mangmi of Lauri Gewog in Jomotshangkha.
Residents are not happy with the road construction work of Samrang- Jomotshangkha highway, construction work started in 2016 and it is still not complete.
Local leaders and residents of Jomotshangkha say it is now high time to get an internal road connection.
“Government has started the road clearing work and we are hoping that they will continue the clearing work soon. If the government could connect Samrang-Jomotshangkha highway it will be very grateful for the villagers of the three gewogs in Jomotshangkha,” the Mangmi added.
Construction the 58 kilometres of Samrang- Jomotshangkha road was started in 2016 and about 47 kilometres has been cleared so far by the Department of Roads (DoR) with a budget of about Nu 57 M.
According to the Chief Engineer of the DoR in Samdrup Jongkhar, they have no deadlines as such but worked as and when the government provide them with the budget.
He added DoR handed over the road construction work to project DANTAK and the project will continue with the work from this month.
Kinley Wangchuk
