𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐡𝐚 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬

…𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚’𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒘𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒔 𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔

By Kezang Choden

Every monsoon, residents of MetakhaGewog in ChukhaDzongkhag come together to clear blockages on Gewog Connectivity (GC) roads, showcasing exceptional community cooperation and resilience. This year is no different, as locals have once again volunteered to tackle the seasonal challenges posed by monsoon rains.

Heavy summer rains frequently cause landslides and debris to obstruct these vital roads, disrupting daily life and access to essential services. Recognizing the importance of these roads for their livelihoods, the residents of MetakhaGewog, along with Gewog officials, have taken it upon themselves to ensure the roads remain passable.
Metakha Gewog’s Gup, Passang Tshering, praised the dedicated efforts of local volunteers who come together every summer to clear road blockages in the region. This community-driven initiative ensures that essential roadways remain passable, benefiting seven Gewogs and seven Chiwogs.

“Every summer, we volunteer and work as a team to clear the blockages on the roads,” Tshering stated. “We have included this issue in the 13th Five Year Plan and are currently waiting for the budget to begin the road maintenance work.”

The recurring blockages, caused by seasonal weather conditions, have posed significant challenges for the local population. Although the community recognizes the potential benefits of hiring machinery to expedite the clearing process, the high costs have made it unfeasible.

Metakha Gewog’s Gup, Passang Tshering, commended the dedicated efforts of local volunteers who come together every summer to clear road blockages in the region. This community-driven initiative ensures that essential roadways remain passable, benefiting seven Gewogs and seven Chiwogs.

“Every summer, we volunteer and work as a team to clear the blockages on the roads,” Tshering stated. “We have included this issue in the 13th Five Year Plan and are currently waiting for the budget to begin the road maintenance work.”

Despite considering the use of machinery to expedite the clearing process, Tshering explained, “We considered hiring machines to clear the blockages, but due to the high expenses, we are unable to afford them. We believe that we cannot always depend on the government to take action. Our community’s efforts demonstrate our commitment to maintaining our infrastructure.”

The proactive approach taken by the residents of Metakha Gewog serves as a model of self-reliance and community solidarity. While awaiting governmental support through the 13th Five Year Plan, the residents continue to address immediate needs through volunteer labor.

Chencho Wangdi, the local Tshogpa of Goenpa Toe Chiwog, reported that ongoing heavy rain has rendered the roads nearly impassable, complicating even short-distance travel. “The roads are in the worst condition I have ever seen. Small cars cannot travel even short distances. The relentless rain has turned roads into muddy, treacherous paths, stranding many residents and disrupting essential travel,” Wangdi said.

In response to the severe conditions, the local community has mobilized to address the issue. Residents have formed groups to manually clear the roads using ropes, spades, and other tools to make the paths navigable. This collective effort highlights the community’s resilience and determination to maintain normalcy despite the challenging weather.
Nima Gyeltshen, a 44-year-old resident of Metakha Gewog, underscored the enduring spirit and resilience of the local populace in addressing the recurring issue of road blockages during the summer season. Gyeltshen observed that road blockages, particularly during the monsoon months, have long been a familiar challenge for residents.

“We have always maintained the same spirit from before,” Gyeltshen remarked, emphasizing the consistent determination and unity among residents to keep their community accessible and safe. Given the constraints of the limited government budget, he highlighted the crucial role of community volunteerism in mitigating these issues.
Gyeltshen expressed hope that Metakha Gewog’s proactive approach will serve as a model for other gewogs. By working together and taking responsibility, he believes residents can overcome challenges and enhance their community’s well-being.

Ugyen Dorji, a resident of Jigmena Chiwog in Metakha Gewog, highlighted the community’s preference for managing minor road maintenance issues internally to avoid the high costs associated with hiring machinery. Residents have opted to address minor problems themselves rather than seek external assistance.

“The expenditure might shoot up if we hire machines to clear the roads. By relying on our collective efforts, we not only save money but also foster a sense of community spirit and cooperation,” Dorji stated.

Dorji noted that this approach offers multiple benefits beyond just cost savings. It empowers local residents, strengthens community bonds, and ensures timely completion of work. While the community remains open to using machinery when significant road damage occurs or the workload becomes too extensive, they prefer handling minor issues in-house.

Ugyen acknowledged the efficiency that machinery can bring to road maintenance but emphasized the financial burden it imposes. “We understand that machines can make the work faster and sometimes more efficient, but we weigh that against the financial burden it imposes,” Dorji explained.

This self-reliant approach underscores the resilience and resourcefulness of Metakha Gewog’s residents. It exemplifies how traditional practices can effectively coexist with modern needs, ensuring both economic and social robustness within the community. The residents remain committed to their hands-on approach, ready to address challenges with unity and determination.