The Gyalpoizhing-Nganglam highway is expected to complete by February. The construction of the Bailey bridge is almost complete and the roads from two sides have reached the end of the Kuri-Gongri confluence.

From Gyaploizhing, the project has completed constructing the road until the confluence. About 24km road has already been blacktopped. The 43.97km road from Nganglam has also been completed till the confluence.

Department of Road’s (DoR) chief engineer, Lungten Jamtsho, said construction of 700-metre stretch near Kuri-Gongri confluence from Nganglam has also been completed.

“Gradient on this stretch has now been lowered,” Lungten Jamtsho said.

DoR in November 2014 took up the work after the contractor was terminated for breaching the contract.

Lungten Jamtsho said once the abutment work is completed, DoR would immediately launch the Bailey bridge.

However, the blacktopping of the highway will complete by 11th Plan.

Total of 39 labourers and operators are working at the Nganglam site and 39 at Gyalpoizhing.

Work to construct the national highway began in 2006 with an estimated budget of Nu 1.02 billion. Cost is now expected to increase to about Nu 2.4 billion. The Government of India is funding the work.

The highway will have 12 bridges, each varying from 40m to 50m.

Yangchen C Rinzin 

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