𝐒𝐮𝐳𝐮𝐧𝐠-𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐢 𝐁𝐲𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐨 𝐂𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐬

By Kinga Choki

The construction of the Suzung-Menchuriin Orong Gewog bypass under Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag is progressing steadily, promising to transform travel and access to essential services for residents in the area. Once completed, the new route will provide a secure and direct connection, reduce transportation costs, and shorten travel time for residents who have long struggled with the challenges of the existing road.

Gup Pema Gyelpo confirmed that the project is almost finished, with teams currently working on earthen drains and final touches. He emphasized that the bypass is being constructed primarily to ease transportation expenses, provide quicker access to markets and hospitals, and reduce vehicle maintenance costs.

“The construction of the road will take time and may take up to one week to complete,” he said. He added that with the reduced distance, vehicle owners will save on both fuel and maintenance, making travel more affordable.
Compared to the existing route, the new bypass is expected to enhance road safety by reducing the distance and overall travel time. At this stage, the road is open only for vehicle passage while drainage works continue. Once fully completed, more than 250 households will benefit from the improved infrastructure. Pema Gyelpo noted that there have been no major hurdles during construction due to sufficient budget allocation, allowing the work to move ahead smoothly.

Health official Sangay Rinchen explained that the bypass aligns with the gewog administration’s plan to link Menchuri to the mainland Orong Gewog Center more effectively. The road is also expected to shorten the travel distance to Dewathang and Samdrup Jongkhar, which is crucial for timely referral of patients. However, he noted that the road may be affected by seasonal challenges:

“Since the road is expected to remain cut off during the summer season, travelling is limited only during winter season. The road can obviously shorten the distance if the condition is made better and is pliable year-round.”
For many residents, the upcoming bypass brings hope after years of facing transportation difficulties. Tshogpa Nima Tshering described the daily struggles, noting that the current travel system is time-consuming, expensive, and unreliable.

“Taxis are so expensive, and we have to reserve boleros with higher charge. We can barely afford the trip to the market every week for daily necessities,” he said. Transport options are limited, with the milk van serving as the only consistent mode of travel on a daily basis.
The remote location of many villages has also contributed to serious concerns related to healthcare and education. Emergency patients often face delays that could cost lives due to the long travel distance, and students must stay as boarders because daily commuting is not possible. The new bypass, however, drastically changes this reality: the journey that currently takes one and a half hours will take only half an hour via the new road.
Nima Tshering believes the benefits of the bypass will extend to six chiwogs, excluding Morong. He stressed that the new route promises faster travel, more business opportunities, cheaper transportation charges, and reduced fuel consumption.

“If it works as planned, faster transport means better access for business, vegetable vendors, delivery. The new route could access more suppliers of vegetables and other cash crops,” he said.
Safety has been one of the most pressing concerns for community members. A resident recalled witnessing a tragic accident in which young students were traveling to school on a slippery road during rainfall.
“The driver lost control of his bolero van and it went off the cliff. Three of them were spot dead, and two were hospitalized,” he said. Such incidents have heightened the urgency for a safer alternative route.

The current roads are not only narrow and congested during peak hours but also lack streetlights at night, making visibility extremely poor. Drivers often encounter wild animals, including elephants, adding to the risks. Community members believe that the new bypass will significantly reduce these hazards by allowing smoother traffic flow and eliminating congestion. The new road is expected to feature wider shoulders and a shorter travel distance, contributing to safer and more stable driving conditions.

Health workers stressed that safer roads are essential for emergency medical situations. Road quality directly affects the survival chances of patients suffering from trauma, stroke, cardiac arrest, or other critical conditions. Clear and stable infrastructure enables faster transportation and more efficient medical response, making the bypass a crucial lifeline for the region.

As the Suzung-Menchuri bypass nears completion, anticipation among residents continues to grow. The new route is expected to reduce the burden of travel, expand economic opportunities, and enhance safety for all who depend on the road. If construction continues as planned, the bypass will be ready for public use, marking a significant milestone in improving connectivity and quality of life for the people of the gewog.