The road connecting Dagapela and Lamoizingkha would be completed by the end of this year, two years after missing the deadline.

Lamoizingkha Tashiding MP, Hemant Gurung asked the minister of works and human settlement, Dorji Tshering on the reasons for delay in the project during the question hour at the National Assembly on June 11.

Lyonpo said that the road, stretching 88.5km was divided into three packages and the works handed over to three contractors. The completion was delayed because two contracts were cancelled in 2015 after the contractors failed to deliver the works as planned. “For about five to six months, the work could not be continued,” Lyonpo said.

“To date, the road from Dalabari to Odalthang stretching about 30km is completed, whereas a stretch of about 40km between Geyserling and Dagapela would be complete after three months,” Lyonpo said. However, the road between Oldalthang and Geyserling would take some time due to topographical challenges.

Lyonpo added that by the end of this year, the black topping works would also be completed.

MP Hemant Gurung further asked Lyonpo on the number of bridges required between Lamoizingkha and Dalbhari as people have to cross Sunkosh River several times to reach their villages. Lyonpo said that the construction of bridges and gewog centre roads were included in the Sunkosh project, and would be known once the project begins.

However, Lyonpo said there are plans to construct five bridges but about eight kilometres of road between Lamoizingkha and Dagapela was excluded from the plan.

Meanwhile, Sombaykha MP Dorjee Wangmo asked the minister on the progress and quality of secondary highway road between Samtse and Haa. Lyonpo said that while the road construction from Haa to Rangtse would be completed by the end of next month, the quality of road from Rangtse to Namjikhola was compromised due to lack of fund.

“In winter, construction works had to be stopped due to snow and ice in Tergola and the project would require few months to complete,” Lyonpo said. “The black topping works would be continued in the next financial year.”

Choki Wangmo