… the gewog administration says work to start soon

Neten Dorji

Kanglung-The 10-kilometer farm road linking over 100 villagers in Pangthang-Ritsangdung chiwog in Kanglung, Trashigang connects villagers to the nearest highway.

However, villagers said that challenges arise in commuting mainly due to the absence of a proper drainage system and lack of maintenance.

Constructed in 2005, the farm road was the first of its kind in Kanglung area at the time. Villagers reported a lack of maintenance over the past decade, leading to its current state of disrepair.

Wangpo, a local resident, said that the road becomes worse each year, particularly during the monsoon, as rainwater erodes the soil leaving large potholes.

Despite multiple requests submitted to the gewog administration, villagers claimed little was done. While residents contribute labour for road maintenance to some extent, the overall condition remains a concern.

If the road conditions deteriorate further, farmers said that they cannot transport farm produce and potatoes during the summer.

Concerns have been raised about the impact on emergency services, with ambulances hesitant to ply the farm road. Residents said that a proper base course was necessary.

Despite high vehicle hire charges to visit the primary health centre in Kanglung, villagers said even finding a taxi was difficult.

Kanglung Gup, Kinzang Dorji said that the gewog administration was not neglecting Rigtshangdung.

He said that the administration has a budget of Nu 10.9 million approved for farm road improvements including the Pangthang-Ritshangdung road.

The gup said that once the base course work in Yonphu Pam is completed, the GSB work for the Pangthang-Ritshangdung farm road will commence.