Kelzang Wangchuk | Jomotshangkha
Motorists commuting along the Serthi gewog centre (GC) road in Jomotshangkha, Samdrupjongkhar, are frustrated with the worsening road condition.
The road is narrow with sharp turns and also has potholes in every metre of the stretch. There is no sign of maintenance.
Residents of Serthi gewog are not happy with the condition of the GC road.
They said it is risky to travel along the road in summer.
A driver, Tshering, who frequently travels to Jomotshangkha, said the road is in poor condition, and it becomes horrible during the monsoon season.
He recalls how excited everyone in the gewog was when the road construction completed and said locals did everything to support the project as they knew it was crucial for any development.
A resident, Zangmo, said vehicles get damaged as there are potholes in every few metres of the stretch. “It’s more challenging because there are no skilled mechanics in the workshops.”
She said they face more challenges when dropping the patients to the hospital.
Residents said that it had been more than two years since the road condition remained the same without any maintenance.
Serthi gewog gup, Tshewang Tenzin, agreed the GC road is in dire need of maintenance and the gewog administration is also concerned about the worsening road condition.
He said the gewog administration had allocated Nu 1.5 million for the road maintenance in 2022-2023 fiscal year. “The gewog would also propose to the dzongkhag administration for an additional budget.”
