Shingkhar GC Road

It is almost two years since the construction of the Therang–Shingkhar GC road, with a total length of 11.32 km with Nu. 48 million funded by the Government of India (GoI). It has become the most controversial road construction in the history of the Department of Roads (DoR). Much unfolding history and important happenstance has to be told and learned. Yet within a year of my handling the project in the capacity of project engineer, it has progressed with a few hundred meters left to reach the termination point, the Gewog center.

There were countless hindrances and misgivings from the public. Nonetheless, I am content to share the good news.  

Not only does the project management deserve significant applause, but also nearly all relevant agencies, from grassroots organizations to the primary ministry.

Road construction reached Shingkhar village. Image date: 31/01/2016

Most probably by the middle of March, construction will be completed, and as per the work plan, within this fiscal year, the project shall be completed. It is indeed good news for the people of Upper Kheng and mostly for the people of Shingkhar gewog. The hardship days of walking shall be history hence. And the first-ever road project in the community is yet again a history to remember.

The Therang–Bardo–Khomshar GC road (27.1 km) will take another year for completion, and the progress to date is good despite encountering tough geological terrain for both trace cutting and formation cutting.

The Buli–Nimshong–Therang GC road (49.6 km) is under maintenance, and the road stretch from Nimshong until Therang has improved.

A budget for various constructions of permanent structures and bridges along the aforementioned roads under the Nimshong sub-division office has been proposed and submitted for fiscal year 2016–2017.

Thank you, public, for the support and giving me vast opportunities to learn numerous tactics in my professional life, and I shall remain grateful forever. 

The Moon

It is my privilege to work for the people in a little-known village called Nimshong at Upper Kheng, where my project office is based. More privilege: I am getting to know numerous new people and new places under my jurisdiction. Places are beautiful. People are awesome, and learning Khengkha (local dialect) is fun. Sitting with old people and knowing the new culture and tradition is an even greater source of pride.

On a reclining seat through a bumpy road and thick jungle, a grumble in my mind of the journey. The journey for site visits is tiring, yet it is jovial in the wild to see the beauty of diverse wildlife. I have to travel day and night occasionally. More or less I have become a rover. Least, I get to stay idle in the office relaxing with paperwork. At the end of the day I am happier to know that I am balanced with office work and site work. This is what my life should be. Yes, definitely!

That day was fine. It was my time to complete paperwork. After office hours, I went for a walk on a dusty road. Singing with the evening dawn chorus of little birds and seeing the preparatory dance for their evening time was wonderful alone. By the time I remembered to return, it was already dusk. Oh! Remember, I was dating those little birds.

I came back. The light from above was on. I stared up. There was a full moon glowing fresh. The beauty in it captured my mind to focus my lens. Though it hides under the blanket of cloud, the real inner beauty is seen illuminating. The moon is beautiful with lovable activism. I miss my angel then.

I had to quicken my pace in between. It was dark. Back home alone again, waiting for the next day and routine to follow up. 

Bless the Year

2015 was a fruitful year. Many wonderful accomplishments were added up in the chronicle of my life revolution. At the very beginning of the bygone year, I got my appointment order from RCSC with the Department of Roads, further with the Regional Office, Tingtibi. After the office commenced operations in the Regional Office, I once again took on the significant responsibility of Project Engineer to oversee the road projects in Upper Kheng. Among all the projects, the construction of the controversial Shingkhar GC road is particularly challenging. I have gained much new knowledge, skills, techniques, and technological advancements regarding road construction throughout my professional life. Yet, again with the new 2016, I beseech, “Bless the Year.”

Welcome, 2016. I don’t have any specific resolutions, but I am sure I’ll do my best for anyone who can relate to me. Happy 2016!

With the year's end, I want to share beautiful pictures of little birds captured in the wild of Upper Kheng. 

Shingkhar GC road Construction I

Road construction is the topmost priority for the government of now and then, and it is the basic necessity for the socio-economic development to prosper. Considering the vital importance of rapid economic development, the Department of Roads (DoR) started improvement works on existing highways. The Department of Roads took over the construction of Gewog Connectivity (GC) roads from Dzongkhags (districts) in accordance with the government's fiscal policies and measures for quality road construction and the stated road development network of the country. 

Therang-Shingkhar GC road alignment

DoR, Regional Office Tingtibi, took over the GC roads on 2^nd July 2013. During the handover, the Shingkhar and Bardo GC roads in Upper Kheng were under construction under Zhemgang Dzongkhag. The road networks in Lower Kheng are well-developed.

It was my pleasure to take over the projects of Upper Kheng in the capacity of a fresh college graduate as a project engineer.

Upper Kheng is the most remote part of the nation. People had to walk days and nights to reach Dakphey, the current takeoff point of the Upper Kheng roads. Many repeated pleas in the past regarding the road construction were made to the government but in vain.  The settlements are scattered, and it would cost a huge amount. At some point people were asked to resettle in southern Bhutan, considering the difficult geographical terrain.

With major funding from the Government of India (GoI), road construction to the UK was begun in early 2000. The road was only till Buli, Nangkor Gewog. The Ministry of Agriculture constructed the road as a farm road. It is said that people with joy prostrate, considering the road as a craving gift for the Khengpas. The tears of happiness wet the eyes and relieved the hardship of mundane suffering to walk and walk.

That was the welcoming moment of happiness for the Khengpas of the UK and the beginning of economic development with road connectivity.

In 2007, Dzongkhag started the road construction from Buli until the Therang junction that benefits Bardo and Shingkhar Gewog. The road passes through Malaya, the highest peak between Shingkhar and Nangkor Gewog.

From Nimshong until Therang, DoR took up the road construction as deposit work. The roads to Bardo and Shingkhar Gewog diverge from Therang junction. The 11.34 km road to Shingkhar Gewog and the 27.1 km road to Khomshar are under construction; the work started in 2013. 

That marked the inception of road history in the UK, and I will discuss its subsequent controversy shortly. 

Fourth King’s Birthday Celebration

11^th November, the day marked the 60^th birth anniversary of His Majesty, the fourth Dragon King of Bhutan, and the undeniably legendary of our times. He was enthroned as king at the age of seventeen. His majesty abdicated the golden throne after his prosperous reign of 34 years.

The nation celebrated the joyous occasion of the 60th birth anniversary. To mark the day and to offer humble dedication and prayer, a picnic was organized at Chamkhar Chu for the construction workers under the Nimshong Subdivision Office, Upper Kheng, Zhemgang, Department of Roads. Almost around seventy individuals joined the picnic and celebrated the day in the presence of the Forest Range Officer from the Nimshong Forest Range Office and site engineers from various sites under the subdivision office.

The project engineer of the division read out the message of the honorable minister of the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement to the workers. The project engineer informed the gathering about the economic and social development benefits of the road construction, and he is conversant with the benefits that the road will provide.  He also informed the workers and thanked them for serving the nation in every possible way by working on road construction works in Bardo and Shingkhar Gewog. He also acknowledged the public of Nimshong village for rigorously helping in the maintenance of the Buli-Therang GC road.

The project engineer is reading out the honorable minister's letter

The day ends with a smile on everyone’s face with contentment to serve the best they can. Thank you, people, for making the day wonderful, and I wish happiness and prosperous welfare and public-friendly road construction.