Neten Dorji | Tongmijangsa

People of Tongmijangsa Gewog in Trashiyangtse are losing patience—it has been a long wait hoping for a 12.5km blacktopped GC road.

The Kholongchu Project had promised a blacktopped road to the people since its heavy vehicles mostly would be using the road.

The road takes a diversion from Korlung, a few metres from Gomphukora towards Doksum on the Trashigang–Trashiyangtse highway.

Ugyen Tshering, a gewog resident, said that with the uncertainty of the Kholongchu Project, the condition of the road is worsening.

Another resident, Gurula, said,: “We have been waiting for more than eight years for blacktopped road.”

For the people, poor road condition makes travel expensive. “It is difficult to get a taxi even if we are willing to pay more than Nu 2,000.”

The road is the only link to hospital and the people feel that they are being neglected.

Tenzin Dema who resides above the GC road said the dust has become a major issue because of the road.

Kinzang Wangchuk, 43, said that the road’s GSB has begun wearing out. The contractors could not complete the blacktopping works on time due to the closing down of the project.

Tongmijangsa gup, Ugyen Dorji, said people are questioning the LG about the delay of the GC road blacktop.

It was learned that the contractor had written a termination letter to the dzongkhag tender committee for the delay in passing the bill. However, the dzongkhag tender committee decided not to accept the request.

Trashiyangtse dzongdag, Baburam Sherpa, said that the budget for the improvement of the road is from the Kholongchu Project as most of the work falls under Tongmijangsa.

“Because of budget constraints and delay in passing the bill by the Project, the contractor could not continue the blacktopping work,” said Baburam Sherpa.