𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

…𝒖𝒑𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕, 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒆

By Leki Chungdon

Blacktopping work on the road in Tashiding Gewog began on June 10, 2025, and is expected to be completed within one year, according to gewog officials. The road starts from the Gewog junction and connects to the highway via Namchella. The project is expected to benefit residents of all five chiwogs under Tashiding Gewog by improving transport, access to services, and the movement of farm produce. Local leaders said the road improvement will ease travel challenges, especially during the monsoon. The gewog administration stated that the work is progressing as planned and will continue to monitor the project to ensure timely and quality completion.

Ratna Bdr Singer, the Gup of Tashiding, said the blacktopping project covers a total distance of 10.6 kilometres from the Gewog Junction to the highway via Namchella. The work began on June 10, 2025, and has a duration of one year, with completion expected by mid-January.

He explained, “The one-year timeframe was set to ensure durability and to allow smooth progress even during fluctuating weather conditions. The project has been allocated a budget of Nu. 30.7 million.”

To ensure timely and quality completion, the gewog staff and the gewog site engineer conduct joint monitoring visits twice a month. Members of the Road User Group also keep a daily watch on the progress. In addition, the Dzongda and the Dzongkhag Engineer visit the site once every month to assess the quality of work and overall progress.
The road will directly benefit residents of Tashiding, Namchella, Shamdolay, Gangjab, and Norbuling chiwogs. Communities from the neighbouring Tsendagang Gewog also frequently use this farm road.

According to the Gup, “The gewog administration expects the project to bring smoother driving conditions and an overall improvement in the quality of life for residents across all five chiwogs. Better road conditions will make it easier for farmers to transport their produce to market on time, which can boost income and reduce losses from spoilage. Improved access will also allow power tillers and vehicles to operate more efficiently, reducing travel time and easing the physical strain that farmers currently face.”

The upgraded road will make it easier for residents to reach essential services such as health facilities, schools, the gewog centre, and local shops. During emergencies, shorter travel time will play a critical role in ensuring safety. Students will also benefit from safer and more reliable travel, particularly during the monsoon when the road usually becomes hazardous.

The road will also support small businesses, allow easier transport of construction materials, and provide better access for government services. With safer mobility, social gatherings and community interactions are expected to increase, as people will no longer have to worry about poor road conditions. Overall, the upgraded road is expected to enhance mobility, strengthen economic activity, improve access to essential services, and deepen community connections, contributing to a more comfortable, secure, and happier life for all five chiwogs.

MoniPrd Bal, the Tshogpa of Namchella Chiwog under Tashiding Gewog, said the improved road is already having a positive impact on the development of all five chiwogs.

He noted, “The new road is far superior to the previous one, offering safer and more reliable access for residents. The community has high expectations for further benefits once the project is completed. These include timely access to hospitals during emergencies, easier transportation of farm produce to markets, and uninterrupted travel for students to reach their schools. The improved road will significantly enhance daily life and support broader socio-economic development across the chiwogs.”

As a Tshogpa, he said he has received positive feedback from residents, who are happy with the ongoing work. However, he emphasized, “The completion and quality of the project must meet the terms of the agreement. If the contractor fails to comply with the stipulated requirements, the Public BOQ will follow up with the relevant authorities to ensure accountability. The Dzongkhag team and gewog staff are conducting frequent monitoring of the work to ensure standards are maintained. We are optimistic that the continued supervision and diligent efforts of the contractor and monitoring teams will soon bring lasting improvements to the gewog, benefiting all residents and supporting long-term development.”

Sanjay Gurung, a community member, said the blacktopping of the road will bring significant improvements to daily life in the locality. He explained, “Once the road is upgraded, public transport services such as buses and taxis will be able to reach the villages more easily, which will help reduce travel expenses for residents. In the past, when the road was not blacktopped, taxi fares were much higher because vehicles struggled to use the rough and uneven road.

Many drivers avoided the route altogether, which limited mobility and slowed development in the area. Farmers often faced delays in transporting their produce to markets, leading to losses and missed opportunities. The poor road condition also created serious problems during emergencies. Reaching the hospital, dairy farm, or orange orchards took much longer than it should have, especially during the monsoon when the road became slippery and unsafe.”

With the road now being blacktopped, Sanjay believes, “The community will experience faster travel, better access to essential services, and more reliable transport options. The improved road will encourage development, support economic activities, and save valuable time for villagers who depend on quick mobility for their livelihoods. Residents are very happy with the progress and deeply grateful to the government for initiating the project. We hope the improved road will open the door to further development and better living conditions in the years to come.”