Since the Thimphu roads improvement project (TRIP) began in May last year, the thromde has improved about 12.5kms of road, constructed about 6.62kms of drains and 2.08km of footpath to date, records with the thromde show.

Work on Lot II of the project for roads around Samtenling, Dechencholing, Jungshina, Chubachu, and Centenary Farmer’s Market areas were completed last month.

Thimphu thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said Lot II resurfaced roads leading from the Supreme Court to Tashichhoedzong, and in Chubachu area from Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) to city police station, and the roads near Royal Textile Academy.

For the same lot, the construction of 1,929 metres of drains are completed while the construction of a footpath in the area is on-going

TRIP consists of two packages. Package I is divided into four lots each awarded to different contractors, and package II includes road improvement of the old highway from Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School to Semtokha junction.

Lot I, III, and IV of the project are on going. Lot I includes Motithang, Changangkha, Kawajangsa and the core city areas; lot III consist of Changangkha and Changzamtog areas; and lot IV includes Lungtengphu, Olakha, Semtokha and Babesa Local area plans (LAP) areas.

TRIP includes repair, resurfacing, and improvement of roads, repairing of existing drains and footpaths, constructions of new drains and footpaths along the roads.

The project is expected to complete this November.

Under Lot I, resurfacing of roads in Motithang and Kawajangsa are almost complete. Thrompon said that the improvement of roads above Hongkong market in the core area such as the roads on Phendey lam, and the road towards the main market from Kelki Higher Secondary School would start soon.

Road improvements for lot III are yet to begin. The area includes the stretch from Norling building to NPPF colony to the flyover-bridge, and the stretch of road in front of Druk School and Kuensel office. Thrompon said that contractors have just started repairing the drains. “The blacktopping of the road has not started yet.”

Road resurfacing of the Semtokha LAP areas in lot IV is almost complete with resurfacing of roads below the Babesa expressway (road to Debsi Bridge) yet to start.

Thrompon said that after completing the resurfacing of roads above the expressway, works have reached the roads along Shearee Square.

In Lot IV, a total of 2,200metres of paver block footpath and 2,500metres of road resurfacing have been completed.

He said that the contract for package II is yet to be awarded.  “The package would include widening and construction of footpaths along the old highway.”

The ADB is funding the project with a grant of USD 4.26 million.

Karma Cheki