Like in the past two elections, all four political parties in Lhuentse have pledged and prioritised the construction of Shingkhar-Gorgan road.
Of the 56kms of the road, about 20kms of the road have been constructed so far.
The remaining 36kms of the road could not be constructed after the National Environment Commission (NEC) didn’t provide environment clearance for the construction, as the road falls through protected areas’ core area.
According to Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party (BKP), the party’s first priority is to construct the remaining road.BKP said the road is important for socio-economic development of Lhuentse and other eastern dzongkhags. “The past two governments failed to fulfill the pledge,” according to BKP.
BKP said it would study and review the environment policies and start the construction in the first year after forming the government.
Druk Nyamrup Tshopa (DNT) says the party would try to minimise the environment damages while constructing the road in core area zone. “DNT strategy is mainly to reduce the impact,” according to DNT emphasising that the Shingkhar-Gorgan road is vital for the people of Lhuentse and eastern dzongkhags.
DNT said it would explore the possibility of constructing a tunnel road for long-term benefit and meet the people’s demand.
Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) said it started the construction of the 20kms of the road in its tenure in 2008 to 2013 and that the PDP government couldn’t construct the remaining during its tenure.
According to People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the road clearance is ready and construction would begin if the party gets another opportunity to serve the people.
There are two constituencies in the dzongkhag with eight gewogs.
The Gangzur-Menjey constituency has Sonam Jatso as PDP candidate, Karma Jimba as BKP candidate, Kinga Penjor as DNT candidate and Tshering Dorji as DPT’s candidate.
For Maenbi-Tsenkhar constituency, DNT has Tshering Phuntsho, DPT has Cheki Gyeltshen, BKP has Sherub Phuntsho and PDP has Yeshey Dorji.
Tashi Phuntsho | Lhuentse