Berdungma farm road woes raise safety and market access concerns

2026-03-23 - 10:11

For the people of Berdungma village in Trashigang’s Thrimshing Gewog, the 12-kilometre farm road is more than just a route. It is their main link to the Trashigang–Samdrup Jongkhar highway and their gateway to markets. But today, the poor road conditions are putting both livelihoods and safety at risk. Constructed in 2011, the Khelam-Berdungma farm road helps transport produce to Samdrup Jongkhar and beyond. Commuters describe the road as steep and bumpy. During the monsoon, it becomes slippery and dangerous. While some stretches have been improved with concrete, the overall alignment and gradient remain a major concern. “Our farm road is in poor condition, with many bumps and stones along the way. We produce orange and ginger, but due to the road condition, drivers often charge high fares or refuse to travel due to the road condition. Small vehicles cannot use the road, forcing many to park at Khelam junction and hire bolero pick-up trucks,” said Gyempo Dorji, Resident, Berdungma, Thrimshing Gewog, Trashigang. “If a vehicle is supposed to last 20 years, it won’t last more than five years here. Vehicles wear out quickly due to the rough terrain, and a lack of a proper drainage system worsens the situation during heavy rains. We have raised this issue during every official visit, but nothing has happened so far,” said Dorji, Resident, Berdungma, Thrimshing Gewog, Trashigang. Local officials acknowledge the problem. They say that while improving the road is challenging due to limited budget, they have prioritised budget allocation this year. “Every year, we allocate around Nu 1 M for maintenance to support farmers in the village. This year as well, we have allocated Nu 1 M to improve the farm road. Since this road connects to Samdrup Jongkhar, we consider it important and have prioritised budget allocation this year,” said Dendup Tshering, Thrimshing Mangmi, Trashigang. The Wamrong Dungkhag Administration said that road improvement works is currently ongoing in parts of the gewog. However, major maintenance and realignment for the Khelam-Berdurngma stretch are planned only for the 2027–2028 financial year. Despite the challenges, the road remains vital. Beyond Berdungma, the road is expected to benefit the people of Thrimshing and Kangpar Gewogs, making travel and trade with Samdrup Jongkhar easier in the future. Sonam Darjay, Trashigang Edited by Sonam Pem