The people of Zamlingzor chiwog in Mendrelgang, Tsirang have not been able to enjoy the benefits of their farm road since July last year.

A stretch of 2.4 kilometres of the farm road was damaged due to a heavy downpour in July, 2016. The gewog had spent Nu 1.2 million (M) from the Gewog Development Grant (GDG) to construct the road.

The 5km road connects Zamlingzor chiwog to the Mandrelgang gewog centre.

A detailed report of the damage was submitted to the dzongkhag office. The damage was assessed by an engineer who estimated that reconstruction and building of retention walls would cost Nu 3.4M.

The estimated amount includes an estimated cost of maintenance of a portion of another farm road in the gewog.

This was one of the many issues raised during the recent visit of agriculture minister Yeshey Dorji to the gewog.

Mendrelgang gup Yeshey said the gewog officials have not heard from the government after they submitted the report. He said it is important that Zamlingzor chiwog is connected with a farm road because of its potential in vegetable production.

“Zamlingzor is one of the biggest fruit-growing chiwogs in the gewog,” he said.

When the farm road was functional, the gup said farmers used vehicles to reach their produce to Damphu town. He said there is an urgent need to reconstruct the damaged portion of the road.

The road will benefit about 30 households once it becomes functional.

Tshogpa Kinzang Wangdi of the chiwog said the farm road needs to be reconstructed altogether as it was damaged beyond repair.

Lyonpo asked the gup to forward him a copy of the report submitted to the dzongkhag. He said his ministry and the government were concerned about the conditions of some farm roads in the country.

Many farm roads have been damaged while some villages are yet to be connected with a farm road.

Nirmala Pokhrel | Tsirang 

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