𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠

…𝒂 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍, 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔

By Leki Chungdon

A survey has begun for the proposed Balung-Taksha road, a long-anticipated infrastructure project expected to improve connectivity between Dagana and Wangdue Phodrang. The planned road will link Balung under Lajab Gewog in Dagana with Taksha in Wangdue Phodrang, addressing long-standing transportation challenges faced by communities on both sides. The assessment is being carried out by a technical team from the Regional Office for Infrastructure Development in Tsirang.

According to local officials, the survey marks the initial and critical step in determining the feasibility of the project. The team is conducting terrain assessments and alignment studies to identify the most suitable route while considering technical, environmental, and safety factors. The findings will guide the final road design and help determine construction requirements.

The Lajab Gup, who is leading and coordinating the survey at the gewog level, said the proposed road is a priority project for the community. He noted that poor connectivity has long limited access to markets, healthcare, and government services, particularly for residents living in remote villages. Once completed, the road is expected to significantly ease travel, improve service delivery, and enhance overall mobility for the gewog.

Local leaders said the Balung-Taksha route has been identified as a strategic link due to the difficulties people face during medical emergencies and in transporting agricultural produce. Farmers often struggle to move their goods because of long travel times, poor road conditions, and high transportation costs. During emergencies, residents are forced to rely on lengthy and unreliable routes, which can delay access to critical services.

Kinga, the Gup of Daga Gewog, said the road connection between Dagana and Taksha will bring long-term benefits to the people of Taksha Chiwog, even if the impact is not immediately visible. He said, “The new route will allow faster and more direct travel between Dagana and Wangdue Phodrang, benefiting commuters, students, and officials who regularly travel between the two dzongkhags. Improved road access will lower transportation costs for goods moving in and out of Taksha, making local agricultural products more competitive in the market. This could help increase income opportunities for farmers and small businesses. The road will also contribute to more balanced development between the two dzongkhags by improving access to services, markets, and economic opportunities. While the full benefits may take time to materialise, the road has strong potential to improve livelihoods and create new opportunities in the long run.”

The Gup of Lajab Gewog highlighted that the Balung-Taksha road was identified as a top priority because it will significantly shorten travel time for residents. Once completed, the road is expected to reduce the distance to Thimphu by nearly 56 kilometres. He said, “This shorter route will allow farmers and villagers to reach the capital more quickly and at lower cost, improving access to major markets and services. The improved connectivity will be particularly beneficial for local farmers, including five vegetable vendors in the gewog who currently struggle to transport fresh produce to the market before it spoils. Faster and more reliable access is expected to reduce post-harvest losses and improve income stability.”

In addition to market access, he said the new road will provide quicker access to essential health services, including the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, which many residents prefer for specialised treatment.
He added, “The project has the potential to uplift the local economy by reducing isolation and opening new opportunities for trade, employment, and investment in the gewog, which remains one of the more remote areas in Dagana. The lack of proper road connectivity has long posed serious challenges for the community. Farmers face persistent difficulties transporting goods due to long distances and poor road conditions. Travel to Thimphu often requires a lengthy detour through Sunkosh, adding both time and financial burden. Limited access to major healthcare facilities further strains families, particularly during medical emergencies.”

The Gup said the survey for the Balung-Taksha road is expected to take slightly more than one week. Tendering is likely to take more than two weeks, after which subsequent stages of the project will be initiated. The proposed road is estimated to span approximately 27 kilometres and is expected to be a major infrastructure development that could transform connectivity and socio-economic conditions for the people of Lajab Gewog and neighbouring communities.