The Damchu-Chukha bypass saw its first major block yesterday since it opened to traffic on July 18. Continuous rainfall caused boulders to roll at the road portion below Youth Development & Rehabilitation Centre (YDRC) of Tsimasham and blocked the road between 4pm and 4:30pm.

Since the road is blocked between the Dam site and Chukha, vehicles plying to Phuentsholing from Thimphu were still able to use the new road until the Dam site. From there, vehicles had to take the four-kilometre road up to Tsimasham and use the old highway until Chukha.

Vehicles heading towards Thimphu were diverted to Tsimasham from the old highway and took the same road down to Dam site to connect the new highway.

Chukha checkpoint briefs the commuters headed to Thimphu to take the old route. Advisory notes of diversion due to block has also been put in both ends of the road at Dam site and Chukha.

Tsimasham police officials confirmed that the roadblock could not be cleared yesterday. The repeated falling of boulders did not allow Project DANTAK workers to clear the block.

Should the weather improve today, Project DANTAK will start the clearing work.

Tsimasham residents had also pointed out in the past that this particular road stretch below the Tsimasham YDRC would be major challenge for the new highway during summers.

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing