The blacktops of most Gewog Centre roads in the Jomotshangkha_Martshala Constituency in Samdrup Jongkhar are worn out, making it difficult for commuters and residents. In some stretches of the roads, there is no trace of blacktopping. With a new government in the offing, the residents are pinning their hopes for better roads on the parties, with candidates promising to prioritise the blacktopping of the roads if their parties emerge victorious.
Serthig, Martshala and Langchenphu Gewogs in Samdrup Jongkhar fall under the Jomotshangkha_Martshala Constituency. The Gewog Centre roads to these gewogs are mostly in a worsening condition.
The 23-kilometre-long Serthig Gewog Centre road is riddled with potholes.
Similarly, the blacktop of the 13-kilometre Martshala Gewog Centre road is completely damaged.
So is the blacktop of the two-kilometre Langchenphu Gewog Centre road. The deteriorating road conditions have not only made travel inconvenient but also risky.
Choki Gyeltshen, a resident of Serthig Gewog said, “We are facing problems with the bad road. The road is not much of an inconvenience in winter but during summer, the road remains cut off for weeks and months.”
“It is risky to travel on bad roads especially during summer,” said Tendi Zangmo, a resident of Martshala Gewog.
Tshering Wangdi, a resident of Martshala Gewog said, “When the road was in good condition, it just took one hour to reach the Gewog office but now it takes about 1 and a half hours. Moreover, the road causes damages to the vehicle.”
The candidates from both parties have pledged to prioritise the blacktopping of the Gewog Center roads. The candidates during the common forums and public debates promised improved connectivity to boost the local economy.
In the hope of a smoother and safer travel experience, residents eagerly await the new government to deliver the pledges.
“The road was blacktopped once but now it is damaged. However, both political parties are promising to blacktop the road. So we are hoping for the best,” said Ugyen Tshering, a Resident of Martshala Gewog.
Sonam Tenzin, a resident of Martshala Gewog said, “The two presidents and candidates are promising to blacktop the road. So, whoever wins, we will be grateful if our road gets blacktopped. A good road is very important for us to do business and to visit the hospital which is quite far from our villages.”
“Now whoever comes to power, we are hoping for Gewog Center road to be blacktopped. Currently, road conditions are not so good,” said Tendi Zangmo.
Apart from blacktopping Gewog Center Roads, both the candidates have pledged to blacktop chiwog roads as well.
Samdrup Jongkhar has 58 chiwogs.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
