Following the inauguration of Phobjikha Gewog Centre (GC) road in Wangduephodrang on January 10, the works and human settlement minister Dorji Choden will inaugurate five more GC roads this month.

The Gangzur GC road in Lhuentse will be opened to traffic on January 13 and Thrimshing GC road in Trashigang on January 14. On January 22, the minister will open Dechheling GC road in Pemagatshel and the Barshong GC road in Tsirang on January 24.

According to a press release from the Regional Roads Office, Lobesa, the opening of the blacktopped 11.6km Gangtey and Phobjikha GC roads was attended by hundreds of people from Gangtey and Phobjikha including officials from Wangdue and Department of Roads (DoR).

The roads were built with funding of Nu 41.6Million from the Government of India. Around 730 households of the two gewogs are benefitting from the road.

The roads form an important link between gewog centres and dzongkhag headquarters. A press release from the ministry states that GC roads have played a vital role in improving the lives of rural communities and have accelerated socio-economic development within the gewogs.

“The farm roads and other access roads that lead to important institutions and service centers diverge from the GC roads,” states the press release.

The six GC roads are expected to benefit 3,020 households in these gewogs. The blacktopping of these roads was executed at a total cost of Nu 202.542 million. To date 79 GC roads have been blacktopped in recent years.

Dechen Tshering