However the grant will be released only if ADB’s requirements are met

Infrastructure: Residents in Lungtenphu, Thimphu will soon have improved and broader roads with road widening work from Semtokha (manidungkhor area) to the Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School (YHSS) parking expected to start in October this year.

An engineer with Thimphu thromde’s road section said that detailed design and estimate for the road widening work has to be completed by September. “All the paperwork for the work is ready,” he said.

The thromde will float the tender in July.

A Lungtenphu resident, a civil servant, Tshering Pem said that the pothole-ridden roads made it difficult to drive, as the road was narrow. “With one side of the road dug, it gets muddy when it rains, which can cause traffic accidents,” she said.

The road widening works that includes construction and maintaining of parking spaces, drainage system, pedestrian footpath and road marking, between Semtokha and YHSS parking is expected to cost Nu 52.7 million (M).

Works and human settlement ministry and Thimphu thromde has divided the city into five zones. The road widening from Semtokha to the YHSS parking area falls in zone five.

Zone one includes Motithang, Kawangjangsa and core city areas, while zone two includes YHSS parking to Dechencholing, Pamtsho, Jungshina, Chubachu and the Sunday market area. Likewise, National Pension and Provident Fund colony till Changzamtog falls under Zone three and Changbangdu, Olakha, Babesa and Simtokha LAP falls under zone four.

The roads in these four zones mainly require resurfacing along with maintenance and construction of drains, pedestrian footpaths and parking spaces and all paper works should be ready for award of work before the Asian Development Bank (ADB) gives the grant.

The ADB will release the budget for the improvement of urban roads in Thimphu thromde by September if ADB’s requirements are met.

Dechen Tshomo 

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