The construction of farm road from Buli to Bardo and Shingkhar gewogs in Zhemgang began in 2006. But the works are far from complete even after almost seven years. The delay in the completion of the 65-kilometre farm road was raised during the third Dzongkhag Tshogdu held recently.
The Shingkhar Gup, Needup, said this is not the first time they are discussing the issue. “We fail to understand what is delaying the works. Is it because of the difficult terrain at the site or is it lack of adequate support from the Dzongkhag? Whenever we raise the matter with the Dzongkhag, they say they are working on it but the works never seem to end.”
Shingkhar Mangmi, Sonam Dorji, said they were supposed to be connected by farm road by the end of the 10th Five Year Plan. “But I don’t think this is possible now. We also do not have electricity. And we still use horses to transport our goods.”
Phangkhar Gup, Rinchen Lungten said the governement’s plan was to connect all gewogs with farm roads by end of the current five year plan. “But this is not happening in our case.”
The first phase of the farm road construction from Buli to Barkhey has been completed. But the contractor who was awarded the second phase of the construction failed to complete the works within the stipulated time frame. The deadline was extended twice, yet the works could not be completed. Thus, the contract was terminated and the Dzongkhag Engineering Division took over the works.
Of about 15 kilometre stretch from Barkhey to Nimshong in the second phase, the Engineering Division has completed the formation cutting of about seven kilometres of road so far.
The District Engineer, Kintu, said they had to terminate the contract and take over the construction by January this year. “Despite shortage of engineers, we deployed an engineer considering the importance of the road. We have also deployed three earth moving machines at the site.”
Some of the members said the works need to be expedited and that the progress should be monitored strictly. The Zhemgang Dzongda, Karma Drukpa, said they are trying to complete the work as soon as possible. “But sometimes since the road site is far from the Dzongkhag headquarters, it is difficult to monitor the work progress. In such situation, the local leaders living nearby should report to the dzongkhag immediately if anything is wrong at the site instead of waiting for Dzongkhag Tshogdu.”
Once complete, the farm road will benefit about 700 households in Shingkhar and Bardo Gewogs.
