The construction of the 10km farm road in Dojanchey village in Darla, Chukha, is expected to resume in about two weeks.

Of the 10km, only 1.5km has been constructed and villagers say that gewog officials told them there was no budget to continue the construction.

Kelzari tshogpa, Dawa Tshering, said that home minister Dawa Gyeltshen has arranged Nu 1 million (M) for the construction. “A survey has been done and the budget is also approved.”

He said that the length of the farm road has also been increased to 12km from the initial 10km today.

The tshogpa is, however, worried if the Nu 1 million will be sufficient to construct the entire road. “About Nu 8M will be required to construct the road. The budget is proposed in 12th Plan.”

Meanwhile, the 1.5km farm road has benefitted about three households. There are 56 households in Dojanchey.

Vehicles can ply till the road point at Kelzari along the Manitar-Lhamoizingkha highway. People walk three hours from the road point to Dojanchey.

A Dojanchey resident, Budhiman Sunar, said that the road is a major problem for people in the locality. “Without the road, we have to carry everything on our back.”

Tshogpa Dawa Tshering said that it is difficult for Dojanchey residents without the road, as porters charge high these days. “People charge Nu 300 to carry 50kg rice to Dojanchey from Kelzari.”

He said that although few farmers from the locality have started cultivating areca nut (doma), they cannot fetch much income, as there is no road to transport it to the market.

Rajesh Rai | Darla

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