There is no allocated fund in the 12FYP

Nim Dorji | Trongsa

The Department of Road’s (DoR) regional office in Trongsa is resurfacing a stretch of Trongsa-Zhemgang highway from Bhutan Oil Distributor depot to Dzomkhalum.

Around 10km stretch was filled with potholes, making it difficult for commuters. A bridge construction at Telegangchu also leaves the road muddy most of the time.

The resurfacing works, according to DoR officials, is being carried out departmentally with excess fund Mangdechhu Hydro Power Authority (MHPA) allotted to maintain the old Zhemgang-Trongsa route from Rephay to Langthel town.

Works are carried out in two packages, one from Dzomkhalum to BOD and the other from Rephay to Langthel town. 

A road user, Jigme, said the completion of the resurfacing till Dzomkhalum would reduce travel time. “We wish DoR would resurface the entire Trongsa-Zhemgang highway.”

Another road user said that it has been difficult to get lift towards Taktse in summer due to poor road condition but the resurfacing work would benefit both commuters and vehicle owners.

However, there are also concerns about how long the resurfaced road would last, as there are many heavy vehicles plying along the route.

A driver, Pema, said he wonders if the resurfaced road would last a year, as heavy vehicles would damage the road. 

DoR officials said they receive complaints from the public about the Trongsa-Zhemgang highway condition but without any fund allotted in the 12th Plan, they cannot maintain it. “However, we are exploring for funds to resurface it on a priority basis.”

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