The eight-kilometre road between Toewang Gewog Centre and Wolathang Primary School in Punakha is in poor condition and urgently needs improvement. Residents say the road was constructed in the early 2000s, and no major renovation has been undertaken since then.
Driving along this stretch is exhausting. During the rainy season, vehicles frequently get stuck in the mud due to the poor condition of the road.
In addition to serving Wolathang Primary School, the road is used by residents of two chiwogs to transport their agricultural produce.
The road has been deteriorating for several years, and authorities have been unable to carry out any major renovations due to budget constraints.
Pema Dorji, a teacher at Wolathang Primary School said “We cannot drive our vehicle, especially in the summer season. Sometimes, our vehicles get stuck, and we must call our friends to help us. Of course, there is no risk of getting stuck during winter, but the vehicles get damaged due to bumpy conditions.”
Damcho Duba, a resident of Tamidamchhu-Thambji Chiwog said “Up here, the condition of the road, which anybody can see during such time of the year, it is in pathetic condition. The small cars just get stuck. Other vehicle drivers also they are unwilling to travel on this road because they feel that if one spring is gone then, something like repair charges and all, nothing less than 2000 ngultrum is being spent.”
Tshering Wangmo, a resident of Kewana-Tshahhuphu Tshogpa, Toewang Gewog said “The road soling was carried out a long time back and could not renovate the road due to lack of budget. Gewog’s budget is quite insufficient, as it must be managed for five chiwogs.
According to the gewog administration, there are plans to blacktop the road from the gewog centre to Chhubu Tshachhu, including this stretch.
The gup said that Nu 65 M has been allocated from the Small Development Project for this purpose, and work will begin soon after receiving approval from the district administration.
Ugyen Karma, Toewang Gup said “In the 2024-2025 financial year, we got the fund from Small Development Project of the Indian Government through the government and district administration to blacktop the road from gewog gate to Chhubu Tshachhu. We are thankful.”
Once blacktopped, the road will benefit around 150 households across three chiwogs, as well as visitors to Chhubu Tshachhu and Ugyen Phug Ney.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Tshering Zam
