The road leading towards Drakarpo in Paro is in need of maintenance and blacktopping according to visitors. During auspicious days, hundreds of visitors travel along the road to offer prayers and circumambulate the sacred site. They said the road is uneven and steep posing risks. It is believed that the eight-century Buddhist master Guru Rinpoche had personally meditated at Drakarpo.
Drakarpo is located about four kilometres away from Shaba town diversion.
The road from Shaba town till Drakarpo has become bumpy. During rainy days, the road becomes inaccessible for light vehicles.
Visitors and resident living nearby are requesting authorities concerned to carry out maintenance or blacktopping as soon as possible.
“The road condition becomes so bad when it rains. It becomes muddy. Light vehicles cannot travel during rainy days except for pick-up trucks. Heavy vehicles such as excavators and trucks use the road and they damage it. Only blacktop is the answer to all the inconveniences,” said Tshering Pem, a resident.
“Due to uneven surface, it is difficult for light vehicles to use it. Moreover, it is risky during rainy days,” said Thinley, a visitor.
“The base course is there but it has developed bumps. If the road is blacktopped, it will benefit the visitors. People from across the country visit the site,” said Tshering Dema, another visitor.
“The base course lasts only for a few months. I think blacktopping will last longer,” said Lotay, a resident of Shaba.
The Department of Surface Transport’s office in Paro is giving priority in improving the road condition.
The office has submitted a proposal to blacktop the road with an estimated budget of Nu 12 M to the government, twice. But the proposals were never approved.
The officials said they will follow up on the proposal even though the road is not eligible for blacktopping as it is an access route.
Currently, minor maintenance is carried out by the Department of Surface Transport.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Tshering Zam
