Widening works of 100km road, which starts from Chuserbu in Trongsa till Nangar in Bumthang under the East-West highway widening project, has been delayed.
The work was supposed to be complete this month. However, due to difficult geographical terrain and marshy area, it has been delayed. But the Department of Roads (DoR) in Trongsa says, the work is expected to complete by this December.
The DoR also said about 80 per cent of the works is complete so far. As of now, 37 of the 100km have been blacktopped.
“Of the 14 contracts, five will complete this month and the remaining nine will enter into liquidated damages period, meaning contractors will have to pay penalty for failing to meet the given extended duration to finish the work,” said Ugyen Dorji, Chief Engineer, DoR, Trongsa.
He added: “Some contractors might have to be terminated if necessary.” The department said about 43km will also be blacktopped by the end of July. But if downpour is heavy, they will temporarily suspend the work until monsoon ends.
Meanwhile, road users are heaving a sigh of relief as the road is now in a much better shape than it was last time. “Few years ago, it took 11 to 12 hours to reach Bumthang from Thimphu. Now, the travel time has been reduced by almost three hours,” said Namgyal Wangdi, Taxi Association Representative of Bumthang.
Others have no different views to share. Sonam Phuntsho, a tourist bus driver said: “The condition of road has improved now compared to past few years. Base course has been done along most stretches, but few a still in bad shape.”
Presently, contract works involving widening of highway along Yotongla, at Bjeezam and Tshangkha in Trongsa are in slow progress. The steep geographical terrain, continuous rain in monsoon and extreme cold weather cited as reasons for delaying the works.
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