Agency: Thimphu Thromde has intensified efforts to improve road safety and reduce traffic congestion in South Thimphu, undertaking a series of infrastructure projects that range from replacing outdated speed bumps with modern speed bumps to building underpasses and roundabouts.
The works, which began in mid-July, are part of a broader plan to create safer crossings for pedestrians while ensuring smoother traffic flow along the city’s busiest route.
Thimphu Thrompon, Ugyen Dorji, shared that the main reason behind reducing the size of the speed bump is to reduce the traffic congestion
“The bumps are being redesigned to meet international standards, which will also help lower vehicle maintenance costs. Many of the newer vehicles imported into the country have low ground clearance, and the existing high bumps often damage their bodies while unnecessarily slowing down traffic,” he added.
One of the most visible changes has been at the city bus stops along the southern stretch of the capital.
At Bap Lhakhang, the earlier speed bump was removed and replaced with a zebra crossing. At Gochukha, Tshalu Barp, and Tshalu Marphey bus stops, older bumps were replaced with new, better-designed speed bumps combined with marked pedestrian crossings.
Similarly, near Ola Rongchu, a speed bump that previously stood near Penchu Car Wash was relocated to align with the bus stop, ensuring both vehicular safety and pedestrian convenience.
These upgrades come on the back of two major projects completed earlier this year. At Changbangdu, the removal of the old speed bump paved the way for the construction of a pedestrian underpass at the Changjiji bridge, completed between January and April 2025 at a cost of Nu 1.1 million.