Neten Dorji

Samdrupjongkhar—The most awaited construction of the Dewathang-Nganglam highway is expected to be completed by March 2028.

A 24-km section of the formation cutting work, starting from Nganglam in Pemagatshel, has been completed, while the 37-km section from Dewathang in Samdrupjongkhar is being reviewed for environmental impact assessment.

The construction of the 61-km highway began in September 2022 after it was handed over to Project Dantak.

A total of Nu 3.49 billion has been funded by the Government of India for the construction of the Dewangthang-Nganglam highway.

The highway will have about seven bridges.

An official from the Department of Surface Transport said: “The first section, spanning 24 km between Nganglam and Chokhorling, has been successfully completed, and GSB and permanent works are underway.”

The delays in the initial survey, design, and completion of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) due to the pandemic and difficult terrain were the main causes of the setbacks.

An official said that the Project Dantak faced difficulty mobilising and managing resources and machinery, as well as labour mobility, due to the unavailability of local resources.

The highway is expected to benefit the villagers of Nganglam and Dewathang.

Villagers will have easier access to market and will not have to route through India.

The road will also help truckers that transport cement to different projects from the Dungsam Cement Plant, especially during strikes in Assam.

Kinzang, a resident of Nganglam, said that they have to travel along the Assam highway in India when they go to Samdrupjongkhar, which is time-consuming and also risky.

“Once completed, the highway will reduce the distance as well as time to visit Dewathang hospital,” he said.

Another resident, Sonam Dorji, said: “We are hopeful that Project Dantak will complete the construction of the highway on time.”

He said that the highway would also help villagers transport cash crops to Samdrupjongkhar.

A truck driver, Tashi Dorji, said that the highway would be convenient for truckers. “It will facilitate easier travel to Dewathang via Nganglam, while also reducing travel-related expenses such as fuel.”

Dewathang Gup Karma Dema said: “We have been requesting Project Dantak to expedite the road construction and have been supporting them in obtaining environmental clearance from relevant officials.”

She said the road development would improve the movement of people and goods, boost people-to-people connectivity, enhance business opportunities, and increase earnings.

People of Chokhorling and Dewathang gewogs contributed labour during the project preparatory process in 2011 and 2012.

The highway construction was deferred indefinitely due to security issues.

The PDP government pledged to construct the road connecting Sarpang and Jomotshangkha, and Dewathang and Nganglam in the southern part of the country.