I drove from Phuntsholing through the Indian roads at
0630hrs and reached Samdrup Jongkhar by 1230hrs. Road being large enough, I
cruised through very easily. Occasional sleepiness on the road was overcome by
drinking water. Picked up from BOD Phuntsholing, I had company of a carpenter
from Punakha stationed at Gelephu. He told me that he was in Phuntsholing to see
his Uncle who suffers from carcinoma related heart problem. I dropped him at
Samthaibari, Assam – Bhutan diversion that takes one to Gelephu.
I left Samdrup Jongkhar by 1330hrs and crossed
Narphung by 1540hrs. As I reached the last huge turning above the Lhakhang, a
GREF carrier stopped about just 10 meters in front of me crushing itself on the
wall of the road. I wondered why? On enquiry, I learned that the vehicle
suffered brake failure. Had it not been for a smart driver who decided to crush
itself to the road wall, I could have landed somewhere unsafe. That appeared
strange to me. Line of other vehicles just crossed the dangerous road debris
carrying nose-less tipper and stopped abruptly in front of me. I recalled the incident
an hour later and started perspiring with the thought of “what could have
happened to me had the driver decided not to crush itself to the road wall.” Some
experiences are chilling. The GREF vehicles are dangerous and they hardly
maintain their machines as visible for everyone to see on the roadsides. But
they do manage somehow, we know for reasons they know themselves.
Not many minutes later, I reached Khilam in convoy,
but we were blocked due to another stupidity of the workers. They spoiled their
Machine driver and pulled whole of the hillock on the road making it impossible
for us to move ahead at least for next 24 hours. I did not know what to do but
followed others on the Berdungma road from Khilam. The ride was long and
tiring. I had to sleep at Thrimshing with my young college mates, a couple of
an Agriculture Extension Agent plus a Livestock Extension Agent. The drive was
terrible to say. Scary small road, steep climb and bridge that connected two
sides made of logs that may give way any time. But, had no choice. The travel
must continue. The dangers must be faced.
