Starting
from the feasibility study to construction was divisive. Controversies
hindered the project by almost three months. Initially people discussed and minuted to
change alignment, diverting away from the mandate of having the GC road be the shortest
possible. The initial construction by the Dzongkhag administration deviated from the mandates outlined in the Guidelines and Specifications. The gradient was high enough for vehicles
to ply. The department had to propose the gradient correction work for 3.18 km in length, and unluckily certain length of the road passes through private land. Repeated
bulldozing through private land proved injustice. Yet, holistic discussions with the landowner made it a success.
The target
for this fiscal year was 8.10 km. The total length of the road as per the feasibility survey report was 11.32 km. 3.18 km was already trace cut by Dzongkhag but left
with a high gradient, and the department had to do correction work. Despite public
unfriendliness with the construction work, management risked completing the whole remaining length (8.1 km) in this fiscal year.
Roads are the
topmost priority of the government and people's wants and needs as well. It is a crucial facility for development and prosperity. Impossibility is guaranteed
to develop far-flung villages and communities without a road network.
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| Gradient correction work through pvt land. |
Everywhere, the concerns may be similar. People grant and sign a no objection agreement if a road passes through their private land during the initial stage of feasibility
studies. During the construction stage, people aren't happy because they care about their
land since it is their livelihood. This disagreement arose during the construction of the Shingkhar GC road. It marked as the most controversial road construction in
the history of the Department of Roads, with frequent media reports at the national level.
Despite hectic
pressure from the public, construction management was a real challenge. It is best to act
holistically, considering the laws of the land. No one is above the law. The last resort
for every disagreement is with laws and the system to decide. Decision-taking
is the toughest, and pronouncing the advantage of larger interest is best. Never
decide in view of self-gain. Lead with laws, and every problem will have strict
solutions. Finally, few individuals were apprehended.
 |
| Lyonpo Lekey's recent visit to his Gewog connected with road. |
People tense
when the law acts. After apprehension, apprehensive thought about the project was
ended. Construction progressed well, and it is my glory to inform the general public
that the construction of the Therang-Shingkhar GC road is completed. Yet an additional length of 1.24 km to the proposed new gewog center is under
construction. Hopefully by the beginning of fiscal year 2016-2017 it will be
completed.
I applaud
and thank my concerned site engineer for the dedicated work, and as a team we grow.
