As elections approach, the residents of Lingdaen Chiwog in Phuentshogling Gewog, Chhukha, are hopeful for improved road connectivity under the new government. The current road is in poor condition, often becoming impassable during the summer.
Lingdaen Chiwog situated approximately 40 kilometres from Phuentshogling Town, requires a two-hour journey. The road is accessible only by pickup trucks, and the community relies on agriculture, as well as dairy and piggery farms.
With over 250 households in Lingdaen Chiwog, residents believe that improved road connectivity could enhance their livelihoods.
Today, transporting farm produce to the market poses a challenge for the residents. They also expressed concerns about facing difficulties during emergencies.
“The current road condition hinders us from delivering agricultural produce to the market promptly. When transporting meat products to town, the risk of spoilage due to roadblocks is high. This discourages people from engaging in work, leading to more individuals relocating to town and fewer remaining in the village,” said Som Bdr Rai, a resident.
Suk Raj Rai, a resident said, “we grow vegetables but due to the bad road conditions, we cannot take the products to market on time. The products get spoiled and that way either the products do not reach the market or get spoiled in between. After reaching the market, we do not get a good price. We also have schools and a BHU here for which a good road is important.”
“We bring our stock from Phuentshogling, and without a good road, it’s challenging. Although it is a bit better in winter, the road gets blocked for weeks in summer. During emergencies, when the road is impassable. We have to carry the sick person and then transfer them to another vehicle,” said Ashman Rai, a resident.
The road also links to the villages of Chimuna in Logchina Gewog and these two chiwogs are connected by two bridges. In the monsoon, sections of the road are either washed away or blocked by landslides.
The gewog planned to lay a granular sub-base during the 12th Five-Year plan, but the budget was not allocated.
Without a budget, the gewog can only undertake restoration works during the monsoon.
At the common forum, candidates from all parties pledged to either enhance the road conditions or blacktop the road.
The chiwog got its road some six years ago.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Sherub Dorji
