Neten Dorji | Radhi

Filled with potholes, Radhi’s gewog connectivity (GC) road in Trashigang is in need of repair.

The 8.5-km road which was blacktopped in 2016 has not been maintained since.

Villagers say that as the only route that connects with dzongkhag administration the road is important for the people of Radhi, Merak, and Phongmey gewogs.

“Transportation charges increase when the condition of the road is bad,” said a villager.

A driver, Khandu, said that the potholes make it difficult for small vehicles. “Who is going to repair the road? The gewog or the dzongkhag administration?” he asked.

A taxi driver, Dorji Lhamo, said that it takes about an hour to reach Rangjung town due to the bad road condition. She said, “The Road needs frequent maintenance,” adding she spends at least Nu 4000 every month on the maintenance of her car.

A resident, Pema, who frequently travels between Radhi and Rangjung, said, the road condition becomes horrible during the monsoon.

Some blame the poor quality of blacktopping. A commuter said that the blacktopping was very thin and was quickly washed away during the monsoon.

Radhi Gup, Yonten Phuntsho, said the gewog administration could not carry out the road maintenance because of budget shortage.

He said that since there are other developmental activities to be executed, the gewog administration can ill afford to focus only on improving the road condition.

“The road is being used by people of Phongmey, Merak, and Sakteng,” said the gup.“We are planning to maintain it by clubbing the budget.”

Meanwhile, commuters say that Phongmey GC road also needs maintenance.

Phongmey gup, Namgay Wangdi, said that the gewog would soon carry out the resurfacing work.

The resurfacing work would include  construction of wall, blacktopping, and widening of some stretches.