People of Bjoka and Ngangla Gewog in Zhemgang are unhappy with the slow progress of blacktopping works on their gewog centre road. People say their road is far from complete while other gewogs enjoy a comfortable ride on their blacktopped roads. Bjoka is one of the most remote gewogs in Zhemgang and also the last of the eight gewog to receive GC road blacktopping.
The 26-kilometre bumpy, rough and narrow road leads to Bjoka Gewog centre. Site development works like the construction of drains and retaining walls are ongoing between Chakchawa and Umchumay villages.
People of Bjoka and Ngangla say the deadline to finish the work is approaching but the progress is slow. They fear the monsoon will complicate matters.
“In winter, the condition is better. But during summer the people of Bjoka and Ngangla gewog have a tough time on this road. The road condition is bad and we do not see any progress. The gewog administration and relevant officials should take responsibility and accountability to look into the issue,” said Phurpa Wangchuk, a resident of Kaktong.
“It has been about three years since we were told the road will be blacktopped. We can now see some work taking place. Summers are torture for us. We have to ply through a muddy road and risk falling boulders,” said Yeshi Dorji, another resident.
“This stretch of the road falls under Ngangla Gewog’s jurisdiction, and I feel the two gewog lack coordination. It is taking longer to blacktop this GC road. We have also questioned the authorities asking if the contractor can be changed,” said Tshering Jamtsho.
Meanwhile, the seven-kilometre road from Panbang bridge to Chakchawa, which was blacktopped in 2018 is in dire condition.
People say gewog authorities did not take ownership to maintain the road.
The Bjoka Gewog administration says they have only been able to maintain a few stretches. The gup says if gewog roads were handed over to the Department of Roads, the condition would be better today.
Bjoka Gup, Tshering Wangchuk, said blacktopping works from Chakchawa to Bjoka Gewog Center were delayed due to the pandemic.
“The blacktopping works were not neglected by the contractor or the gewog. We have been monitoring works on the sites. Before the blacktopping works begin, we need to construct proper drains, and walls and then the actual blacktopping works would be carried out within February as planned,” said the gup.
Once the entire Panbang – Bjoka GC road is blacktopped, travel time to the gewog centre will be reduced by two hours.
The blacktopping works are being carried out at a cost of almost Nu 60 M and are expected to be complete in January of next year.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Sherub Dorji
