𝐂𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭-𝐏𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬

…𝑻𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒂 𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒅𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆

By Kinzang Lhamo

A rural infrastructure project is underway in Tsimakha village under Chhukha Dzongkhag, where the construction of a cement-paved road is set to improve the daily lives of the local farming community. The road, once completed, will provide year-round access to this remote village. It is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve travel to nearby markets, and support the gradual transition toward modern farming practices.

For years, farmers in Tsimakha have faced challenges related to poor road conditions and limited access to essential services. Many continued to rely on traditional farming methods, with restricted movement during the rainy season.
The Chhukha Dzongkhag Administration is overseeing the project, with support from the local gewog. The administration considers rural road infrastructure to be a key component in improving living conditions and creating new opportunities in agriculture. For Tsimakha residents, the new road offers more than just physical access. It also allows for quicker delivery of agricultural inputs, veterinary services, and technical assistance that can contribute to better productivity and improved crop output.

Officials have shared that the road will also support other rural development efforts. These include encouraging farmer groups, introducing small-scale processing units, strengthening supply chains, and setting up maintenance plans to ensure the road remains functional in the long term. With these developments, the Tsimakha project is seen as one of several efforts aimed at improving economic opportunities in rural areas.

Tashi, the gup of the gewog, said that most villagers in Tsimakha depend on farming for their livelihood. “Farming is not just a livelihood, it’s our way of life. While we don’t usually face roadblocks or landslides like in other areas, heavy rainfall is a serious challenge for us. During the monsoon season, movement becomes very difficult. Roads turn muddy and slippery, and both walking and transportation become a struggle. People have had to carry loads on their backs or wait for days for the ground to dry. This has especially affected farmers trying to get their produce to the market on time.”

He added that the new road will not only connect homes and farms to schools and hospitals, but also encourage residents to expand their agricultural work. “This cement-paved road has greatly improved access to schools and hospitals, especially during heavy rains. It has reduced travel time and boosted the community’s confidence. I believe it will encourage more villagers to expand farming, knowing their produce can reach the market on time. This road is more than just development, it’s a solution to many of our challenges.”

Tshekhu Dorji, the tshogpa of Tsimakha, shared that the project had been delayed for several years due to a lack of funds. “The road was initially planned and the base was already constructed, but due to a shortage of funds, we couldn’t continue the work at that time. Now the road has finally been paved, and we are grateful that even the villagers came forward to support the effort. The gewog engineer also advised us to take care of the road and not let the funds already invested go to waste.”

The road project marks a significant improvement for the area. In 2010, a 2.5-kilometre stretch of road was constructed, benefiting about 35 households. However, this road remained unpaved and difficult to use during the monsoon. With the completion of the new cement-paved section, access to essential services has improved, particularly during the rainy season. Students and patients now have better travel options during periods of heavy rainfall.

The tshogpa said, “Now that the road is paved, students can travel to school even during heavy rains, and it’s much easier for people to visit the hospital. I also hope this will encourage more villagers to take up agricultural work, as transport and access to markets have become more convenient.”

Tashi Wangdi, who chairs the road committee, explained that the funding came from the Dzongkhag Economic Stimulus Plan. “The fund we received for this project came from the Dzongkhag Economic Stimulus Plan, and the total amount was 54 lakhs. Although the road was cleared nearly 10 years ago, it remained rough and unpaved until now. This support has finally allowed us to improve it.”

He added that they are planning regular maintenance of the road to preserve its condition. “We have decided that we will carry out cleaning and maintenance work twice a year to ensure the road remains in good condition. This way, we can make the most of the investment and keep the road useful for everyone in the community.”

Kinley Tshering, a resident of the village, said the road is still under construction but almost complete. He shared that the older road made daily movement difficult. “The road is still under construction but almost finished, and we have high hopes for more comfortable travel and walking. Before, the road was in poor condition, making even short trips difficult. It wasn’t just uncomfortable, the rough road caused frequent vehicle damage and high maintenance costs.”
According to him, the new cement surface has already made vehicle travel easier, though some issues remain. “Small vehicles can now travel easily, but the road is still narrow, so only one heavy vehicle can pass at a time. We hope this will be addressed soon. Still, this is a big improvement, and we are thankful for the progress.”

With support from local authorities and residents, the cement-paved road in Tsimakha is nearing completion. For many in the village, it signals improved access to education, healthcare, markets, and better prospects for agricultural work. Once finished, the road is expected to continue playing a central role in shaping the village’s future.