The collapse of a Bailey bridge in Mongar causes traffic drastically fallen, making it difficult for businesses along the Gyelpozhing-Nganglam route to exist. March 27 of this year saw the opening of a new bridge to traffic. Because of the prior disasters, many people are still hesitant to use the bridge. Sonam Pelmo now makes less money each day. Truckers are hesitant to utilize the road because they are afraid the bridge may fall again, according to Sonam Pelmo. They depend on truckers transporting cement from Dungsum Cement Corporation Limited, as well as passengers and public buses traveling to Thimphu and Phuentsholing. For breakfast and tea, passenger buses typically make stops in the Tshobalay and Telung areas. Because of the stability of the bridge, some people still choose to use other routes.
Some store owners have even switched to new business ventures as a result of the closure of numerous stores. Due to fewer road users and a lack of construction efforts in the eastern dzongkhags, a restaurant owner said that business had decreased by about 90%. To stay alive, he had to switch to an auto repair business. Nima Gyeltshen, a merchant, reported that the number of buses has drastically dropped and the number of trucks has been cut in half. Due to low sales, another retailer intends to shut down her store. Only three to five people visit Minjur Wangdi’s eatery along the highway these days.