Rajesh Rai  | Phuentsholing

Lights were installed near Taktikothi where widening work is underway on the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway for the safety of travellers since February 16.

Lighting facility would remain on between six pm and 11pm. Police had requested Project DANTAK after a recent landslide incident in which two drivers were injured. Both are recovering at the national referral hospital. The incident happened at 8:45pm on February 14.

Boulders from a landslide hit a DCM truck and a jumbo truck. Drivers were evacuated and admitted to Gedu hospital.

The wife of the 48-year-old jumbo driver from Pemagatshel, Karma Cheki said her husband is still in the hospital and recuperating.

“He was brought to Thimphu two days ago,” she said. “His has suffered fractures on his ribs.”

Police officials said initial injuries recorded at Gedu hospital were pain on chest, lower back, right leg, and ankle. The DCM driver fractured his leg.

Karma Cheki said that her husband had told her that the movement of the long queue of vehicles had stopped for a while when the landslide occurred. Some other drivers were having an argument when the landslide hit the vehicles.

A bus passenger headed to Thimphu from Phuentsholing, Yeshey Needup said the road was completely blocked after the landslide.

“Most of us spent the night in the bus,” he said, adding that some returned to Phuentsholing.

Yeshey Needup said that Taktikothi stretch has become a menace these days. The work must be completed soon for the safety people plying the highway, he added.

RBP officials said awareness and sensitisation have been continuously carried out for people’s safety. Unnecessary travelling at night must be done away with or be done with utmost caution.

RBP has also deployed two traffic personnel during the night and Project DANTAK would be providing the temporary accommodation.

Blasting will be carried out from eight am to 12pm. Protruding and precarious rocks and boulders would also be removed. RBP has also been liaising with other relevant agencies to ensure safety. Road safety messages have also been placed at both ends of the road.

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