Despite being the capital city, Thimphu is still grappling with poor road conditions. New double-lane roads have been paved over the years but in some areas, roads are in dire conditions. This, the residents say is affecting their daily commute and lives.
For more than a decade, residents of Hejo have been waiting for their four-kilometre tertiary road to be blacktopped or repaired.
The road leading to the old Hejo Health Clinic, known as Lhadrong Lam is dusty, bumpy, and riddled with potholes. And to make the matter worse, runoff from residential areas deteriorates the road without proper drainage. The road is being used by residents of around 40 households.
“When the road was initially constructed under the first elected government, it was blacktopped. However, later, when electric poles were erected and sewage pipes were laid, the road was damaged. Following this, there was a lack of maintenance, resulting in persistent dustiness during winter and muddiness in summer. These conditions pose risks, especially to children,” said Gembo, a resident.
“It is challenging for us to pay rent because customers avoid buying items from us due to the road’s poor condition. If the road is blacktopped with designated parking spaces, I am confident that we would attract more customers because people tend to prefer local shops over going to town, mainly to avoid parking fees,” said Tandin Om, a shopkeeper.
“I have been residing in Hejo since 2015 and the condition of the road has remained the same. We are uncertain whether this situation is caused by the Thromde or the residents. However, we are significantly affected by the road’s condition. It becomes very dusty during winter and muddy in summer, making it difficult for people to even walk,” said Kinzang Wangdi, a resident.
Meanwhile, the Thimphu Thromde has hired a contractor to lay the Granular Sub-Base or GSB. The GSB work started a month ago. The project worth more than Nu 20 M is scheduled to be completed in July this year.
According to the Thromde representative in Hejo, maintenance efforts in the past could have been affected after residents alleged that the road was built on their land.
However, for the current project, a group has been formed to resolve such issues while work is being carried out.
Similarly, the 200-meter stretch leading towards Changangkha Middle Secondary School and the 300-meter stretch in Gepjakha in Babesa are also in dire need of maintenance.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Sonam Pem
