Phurpa Lhamo 

The works and human settlement ministry will conduct feasibility study for farm road connection to four chiwogs of Yalang gewog and Tsholabtsa village in Toedtsho gewog in Tashiyangtse.

At the national assembly yesterday, works and human settlement minister, Dorji Tshering, said that of five chiwogs in Yalang gewog, only one was connected with farm road.

He said that a road connection was feasible and there were enough households in the chiwogs.

In areas such as Rolam, Melongkhar, Bazor, and Dukthi, a farm road is necessary, he said, adding that the human settlement ministry would have further discussion with the home ministry on the feasibility of farm roads in the four chiwogs.

As for Jangphutse in Toedtsho gewog, a farm road was not feasible, said Lyonpo Dorji Tshering. However, he added that in Tsholabtsa, there were enough households and a farm road was possible.

East-west highway

Around 50 percent of the total stretch of around 120km between Ura in Bumthang and Yongkola in Mongar, which is part of the east-west highway-widening project, is ready for blacktopping.

Lyonpo Dorji Tshering, however, raised concerns over monsoon hampering the blacktopping work.

Currently, eight contractors have been awarded the work to widen the stretch.

Maenbi-Tsaenkhar MP Choki Gyeltshen raised concerns over the worsening road condition between Ura-Yongkola stretch due to widening works. He added that the road was risky for travellers and questioned the experts’ plan and resolutions.

Lyonpo Dorji Tshering said that if worsening road conditions affected travellers, the ministry officials provided help in terms of road clearance and evacuation. He added that for stranded travellers, the officials provided meals.

Further, he said that an official has been identified to respond to inquires of the travellers and live updates are provided on social and mainstream media.