Neten Dorji

Nganglam-Residents and commuters along the Pemagatshel-Nganglam primary highway have raised concerns about the ongoing road improvement and blacktopping work. With winter approaching, they fear that the delays may lead to further problems.

The highway is a crucial link between Pemagatshel and Nganglam Dungkhag, passing through the villages of Shumar and Dungmin gewogs.

A farmer from Shumar gewog expressed his frustration with the worsening dusty conditions for those living near the highway and the slow progress of the roadwork.

“Travelling on this highway is difficult; it poses risks to people and damages vehicle undercarriages,” he said.

Commuters echo similar concerns, highlighting that the poor road conditions—characterised by potholes and dust—could lead to accidents.

Residents, like Chimi Wangmo, share their frustrations about the persistent dust, which infiltrates their homes and settles on windowpanes.

She suggested that prioritising blacktopping in residential areas would significantly benefit local communities.

“It would be helpful if DANTAK could focus on blacktopping residential areas first before moving on to other locations,” she said.

However, she noted that DANTAK officials on-site indicated they did not have the authority to make such changes.

Tenzin Wangmo, another resident of Shumar, expressed her disappointment with the slow pace of the work.

“We were pleased to hear that the road would be improved and blacktopped, as it was in dire need of maintenance,” she said. “Now, we are unhappy with the progress since blacktopping has yet to begin.”

The presence of potholes further complicates driving, especially for heavy vehicles.

Many road users report minimal progress, noting that it currently takes over four hours to reach Tshobalay due to poor road conditions. In contrast, they assert that a well-maintained road would reduce travel time to just two hours.

Residents have also expressed concerns about the quality of the ongoing work, citing a recent incident in which a retaining wall collapsed shortly after its completion. “The retaining wall wouldn’t have collapsed if the workers had used the required cement and materials,” one resident pointed out.

They emphasised the dangers posed when vehicles attempt to navigate around each other in these unsafe conditions.

The work is being conducted by 64 RCC, Kanglung, as part of Project DANTAK. Road improvements began in March of this year and encompass a 60 km blacktopping project, of which approximately 12 percent has been completed.

According to Project DANTAK, blacktopping on the remaining 60km road began in the first week of March and is expected to be completed by March 2026.

An official from DANTAK acknowledged the challenges faced during the project, noting that continuous rainfall and as many as twenty landslides in a single day have hampered progress.

“Currently, we are focusing on essential permanent work, including retaining walls, drainage systems, and culverts. Once these critical components are completed, we will award the blacktopping work to contractors,” he said.

Of the total 80km blacktopping work, DANTAK completed the initial 20km stretch last year and handed it over to the Department of Surface Transport.

When asked how DANTAK ensures quality work along the highway, an official confirmed that daily monitoring is in place.

“We have established a system where engineers on-site report their daily work and progress, and I receive photos from the sites every day,” he said. “Moreover, we exclusively use materials sourced from the Natural Resources Development Corporation Limited, ensuring that our projects adhere to the highest standards.”

DANTAK officials assert that the highway’s condition has improved from its previous state. The project currently employs over 60 local individuals, providing them with valuable skills alongside Indian workers.

The total budget for the project is approximately Nu 444.46 million.