With the road at Teakshingri in Narphung, Samdrupjongkhar, still closed for traffic, commuters plying via the Samdrupjongkhar-Trashigang highway trans-shift the blocked area.
Project DANTAK officials said it would take another two days to clear the block.
Officials said that since people were aware of the roadblock, people trans-shift and there are no vehicles stranded at the block.
They said that besides the loose soil and unstable hill, continuous rain has also caused the landslide. “There are also high chances of slides if there is continuous rain,” an official said.
Meanwhile, a truck driver, Thukten Tashi, 32, said he is affected, as he could not meet the requirement to ferry 15 truckloads of gypsum in a month.
He transports gypsum from Pemagatshel to Samdrupjongkhar. “Frequent roadblocks at Narphung affect people like us. Without any alternate road, we have to wait until the block is cleared.”
Thukten Tashi explained they incur a loss of about Nu 25,000 even if they ferry 14 truckloads a month because of not meeting the criteria.
“I am worried I may not be able to repay the loan I took for procuring my two trucks,” he said. “It would be helpful if the concerned authorities could clear the block soon.”
Another truck driver, Phuntsho, said concerned authorities need to clear the block soon as there is urgent need of cement at construction sites in Trashigang.
He said it would help the people if project DANTAK clears the block even after 5pm for the benefit of the travellers. “They do not work after 5pm at present.”
It would also help if project DANTAK procures new excavators, as the excavators at the site are old and not strong enough to carry out clearing works.
DANTAK officials said although they are clearing the block, continuous rain and foggy weather at the site hamper the works.
“It is also important for us to maintain the safety of the labours as it’s the landslide-prone area,” the officer said.
Teakshingri is about 63 kilometres from Samdrupjongkhar towards Trashigang.
Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar