The not-so merry-go–round of road repairs

An unofficial event largely hosted by nature is the monsoon, which is very regular and it never misses its cue. Another thing not so much handed by Mother Nature but largely in a similar cyclic carousel is the perpetual repairs on and across the roads of the country. It too doesn’t miss its mark every changing season and throughout changing years.

It crosses every wandering eyes  and wondering minds as to why there couldn’t come around a more stable solution to this eternal event of repairing roads damaged, washed away or riddled by gaping potholes at every regular and irregular length and breadths of the highway.

Expenditure is incurred naturally in keeping up with the maintenance drill not so much a planned affair as it comes unannounced but, come it surely would every rainy season or a post-snowy week or month.

Some of the roads in remote areas of the country are so prone to damages that men and machine are permanently stationed at these locations to immediately address the road blocks or bridges being washed away.

At many locations it is apparent that sincerity of builders in constructing the respective roads are not in reflection as areas are so favorably laid out for nature to do its deed. At the same time it is also the other way round where roads that are seemingly built in stable locations give way to the slightest shove from natural forces.

For a road to consistently serve its purpose of being a strong surface to ply in for humans and commuters alike, to deliver everyone and everything safely to whatever point they set out from or to, many factors are key in achieving the required.

Drains or the drainage system running alongside the winding roads in this case play the crucial role of directing what water seeps onto the roads or highway through them to the proper meeting points. Likewise, trees planted along roads are meant to stabilize the soil and therefore prevent landslides on the roads.

Authorities have seemingly accepted that repairs as a monsoon event year after year is mandatory, but it also goes without saying that there are discerning minds in operation to curb this sick cyclic carousel of repairs and damages.

Of course, individuals can always do their bit in this by working in the best interests of one and all by being responsible contractors, builders and citizens.

Published as Editorial for Business Bhutan on April 25, 2015