𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐦𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

…𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚-𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 600 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆

By Lhendup Wangmo

The Gomdar Gewog Administration in Samdrup Jongkhar is constructing a cemented walkway, complete with a staircase and railings, to improve accessibility and safety for students and the local community. The walkway will provide a safer and more convenient route for students of Gomdar Central School, who currently endure long, hazardous walks to school.

Gomdar Central School accommodates 461 students, including 300 boarders and 161 day scholars. Of these, 48 students from Sawang and Amshing walk to school daily, with some covering up to 9 kilometers on a round-trip journey. The lack of proper walkways has made their commute difficult, especially during the monsoon season, when paths become slippery and hazardous.

In addition to benefiting students, the new walkway will also serve 82 households in the Amshing and Sawang chiwogs, enhancing safety and convenience for local residents. Community members have welcomed the project, noting that it will ease daily movement and improve overall accessibility in the area.

Sangay Lhaden, the Gewog Administration Officer (GAO) of Gomdar, stated that the budget allocated for the walkway construction is Nu 1.2 million. She explained that the project will directly benefit 48 students who use the path daily, as well as 82 households in Amshing and Sawang chiwogs. Additionally, it is expected to indirectly benefit approximately 650 households across the gewog.

The footpath spans 916 meters in length and is an essential part of a daily round-trip route that covers approximately 9 kilometers for some students.

“This project was carried out as a community contract, with the work being done by the local people themselves,” Lhaden said. “We are fully engaging the community, encouraging everyone to work together and take ownership of this development.”

According to Lhaden, the walkway not only improves access to education for students but also enhances connectivity for the entire community, reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and self-reliance.

Karchung, the Gup of Gomdar, explained that day scholars at Gomdar Central School had faced numerous challenges in their daily commute. Previously, students had to walk up to 4.5 kilometers to school, with 48 students from Sawang and Amshing covering up to 9 kilometers on a round-trip journey. The new walkway is expected to benefit a total of 82 households, 78 from Amshing and 40 from Sawang.

“The lack of a proper walkway has made travel particularly difficult, especially during the monsoon season when paths become muddy and slippery,” Karchung said. “It is very dangerous for students, and I have seen them struggling on their way to school.”

The new walkway, funded through the Gewog Development Fund with an allocated budget of Nu 1.2 million, is expected to benefit 118 households in total. Karchung emphasized that the project is designed not just for students but for all travelers who rely on walking.

“Before the walkway, the path was in poor condition, and students would take about an hour to reach school. With the new walkway, the travel time has been reduced to approximately 30 to 40 minutes,” Karchung added. “This has made the journey much easier and safer for pedestrians.”

Chimi Rinzin, a villager from Gomdar Gewog whose child studies at Gomdar Central School, expressed relief over the new walkway. “Before, I used to worry a lot during the rainy season because the path would become very slippery. Even walking carefully, it was risky,” Rinzin said.

He noted that the improved walkway has made a noticeable difference for the entire community. “Now, even the elderly can walk comfortably. It’s for everyone, and we are truly thankful to the gewog administration for making this possible,” he said.

The footpath will benefit villagers in Gomdar Gewog, particularly those from Amshing and Sawang chiwogs, covering 82 households. Rinzin described the development as a meaningful improvement, ensuring safer and easier movement for everyone, regardless of age.

Ugyen Duba, a business owner and parent of a student at Gomdar Central School, shared that the new footpath has alleviated concerns for parents. “My child uses the path every day. As a parent, I used to worry a lot, especially during the summer. The old path would become overgrown, almost like a dense forest, and there were frequent encounters with snakes. We were constantly afraid they might get bitten,” Duba said.

Since the completion of the footpath, Duba’s fears have eased. “The worry is now much less,” he said. “Before, students had to be ready by 6:00 a.m. and leave by 6:30 a.m. to reach school on time. Now, some leave at 7:00 a.m., and others as late as 7:15 a.m.”

Travel time has also improved drastically. “Earlier, it would take about an hour to walk to school and nearly an hour and a half to return. Now, the walk takes just 30 to 35 minutes each way,” he said. The footpath has brought both safety and convenience for students and parents alike.

Pema Zangmo, 68, a resident of Amshing chiwog, said the new walkway has brought immense relief to the elderly in the village. “Before, it was difficult for us old people to go anywhere, especially during the rainy season. The mud and stones made it risky to even fetch water or visit neighbors. Now, with the proper footpath and railings, we can walk without fear of slipping. I feel safer and more confident to move around again,” she said.

Dorji Tshering, 73, from Sawang chiwog, shared similar sentiments. “There were days I would avoid going out because the path was too dangerous. Even a simple errand became a challenge. This walkway is a blessing- not just for the students but also for us elders. We can now visit the lhakhang, attend community meetings, and go to the shops without worrying about falling,” Tshering said.

Gewog officials said the construction of the walkway is part of ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and support education in the region.