With the Department of Surface Transport yet to take over the construction and maintenance of Gewog Centre or GC roads, the roads are now in no man’s land. The parliament endorsed the decision to return the management of GC roads to the Department of Surface Transport in December last year. One of the roads in a sorry state is Zhemgang’s Dhakpel to Nimshong stretch. People are unhappy with the worsening condition of their GC road.
This is one of the eight Gewog Centre roads in Zhemgang. It connects three Gewogs of Nangkor, Bardo and Shingkhar. The road, blacktopped in 2019 connects upper and lower Zhemgang. Today, the 80-kilometre stretch from Dhakphel to Nimshong is riddled with potholes.
Recent rain has formed big puddles on the road. Besides, drains are not cleared and roadside bushes need to be trimmed.
People say the road was much better when it was taken care of by the erstwhile Department of Roads. Today, the driving conditions are far from ideal.
“It is risky walking along this road because bears could be hiding under the cover of the bushes. It would be better if the Surface Transport Department manage the roads again as in the past,” said Tsewang, a resident.
“In the past, we have seen that the roads are maintained well but these days, roads are covered by bushes and drains are not cleared,” said Chimi Rinzin, another resident.
“The road has developed potholes in many locations, drains are blocked and bushes are covering the edges of the road. The condition will only worsen,” said Sangay, a resident.
“Because of the long bushes on the edges of the curves, we could collide with an oncoming car because we can barely see vehicles on the other side,” said Yonphen Nima, a resident.
People blame the Gewog offices for failing to take care of the road. Travellers often have to clear the blockages on the road themselves during monsoon.
The Gewog officials, however, said that it would be better if the department could take over the GC roads soon as the gewog offices do not have the capacity for the upkeep of the roads.
Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Dorji Tshering said that the ministry is working on the takeover.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Kipchu
