Commuters in Samdrup Jongkhar are urging the authorities concerned to blacktop the nine-kilometre stretch between Labtsazor and Samrang Gewog. Residents have to negotiate potholes and muddy stretches currently. The road, which is a Secondary National Highway, was built in 2013, however, only about 15 kilometres of it was blacktopped.
After crossing Labtsazor, commuters travelling to Samrang Gewog have to take a bumpy ride. The deteriorating road condition has resulted in increased travel time, vehicle damage, and safety hazards for motorists.
The absence of a blacktop surface has made the road prone to dust, mud, and potholes, especially during the monsoon season. The 24-kilometre road connects Samdrupcholing Dungkhag to Samrang Gewog.
“The road is in bad condition. Our children are studying in Martshala and because of this bad road condition, we are not able to go and meet them as often as we want to. If the road is blacktopped, it will benefit us for sure. It is high time that the road should be blacktopped now,” said Kishor Rai, a commuter.
“Without a blacktop, it is very difficult for the commuters like us. During summer, we are not able to drop off our children at school, and in emergencies, we face many problems. Currently, it takes around 2 hours to reach Samdrupcholing. If the road gets blacktopped, it would take only 30 minutes,” said Dan Maya, another commuter.
“If the road is blacktopped it will be convenient for us. There will be no vehicle damages and people will be able to travel with ease,” said Yeshi Dorji, also a commuter.
The issue was also discussed in the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu. Samrang Gup says the poor road condition not only affects daily travel but also hampers economic growth, especially for farmers who depend on the sale of ginger and areca nuts.
“When the road was built in 2013 it was laid with GSB. Since then, it has been around 10 years now. It is high time to blacktop it. If the condition continues to be like this for a few more years, it will have to be laid with GSB again, which would incur more expenditure for the government. That’s why I raised the issue.” Said Jigme Singay Drukpa, Samrang Gup.
The Department of Surface Transport’s office in Samdrup Jongkhar said that they have been proposing to blacktop the remaining road for the past three years; however, due to budget constraints, the proposal was not accepted. The office also said that the road condition has worsened over the years with the increase in the number of heavy vehicles using the road.
The office has again proposed the blacktopping of the road in the 13th Five-Year Plan.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Kipchu
