1 SONABJA Site Report, Darla Sub-Division, RO Phuentsholing, Department of Roads

Introduction
With reference to letter no. Ref. No. DoR/2019-2020/Const-04/798
dated 11th March, 2020 regarding deputation of Geotechnical Engineer;
a Site visit was made to Sonambja which is under the Darla Sub-
Division, Regional Phuentsholing. Sonambja is located on Manitar-
Raidak PNH and connects Lhamoizhingkha as well.
The following officials were present during the joint site visit:
1. Mr. Sonam Tshering, Engineer, Design Division, DoR Thimphu
2. Mr. Thinley Tenzin, Principal Engineer, Cost. Division, RO
Phuentsholing
3. Mr. Neten Tshering, AE-I, Darla Sub-Division, RO Phuentsholing
4. Mr. Tshering Phuentsho, AE-IV, Darla Sub-Division, RO
Phuentsholing

Figure 1: Sonambja landslide area (Photo courtesy: Google Earth 2019 end)

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2 SONABJA Site Report, Darla Sub-Division, RO Phuentsholing, Department of Roads

Summary:
Design Division had submitted the road design for Sonambja (Soil Batter
Design) to Regional Office Phuentsholing. In addition, the Sub-Division
head of Darla and the concern engineer were given suggestion regarding
benching of slope for excavation.
The benefits of benching or sloping are as follows:
a. Benching is a technique used to maintain slope stability.
b. Benching of slopes is also used to control erosion and establish
vegetation.
Issues:
In order to determine the benching section, complete survey data of the
entire hillock is required. The present survey data covers only the area of
the slide and the slope height cannot be determined from it. The satellite
image shows the inclined length from the road to the hilltop is about
597m (roughly). However, assuming the slope height through digital
photographs (Satellite data) would be impractical. The initial typical
dimension for proposing benching was 1.5H:10V. Without adequate
survey data proposing cross section for benching would be difficult. Also
adopting benching from the top means touching the entire hill
(Environmental Aspect).

Figure 2: Inclined length from road to hilltop (Photo courtesy: Google Earth 2019 end)

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3 SONABJA Site Report, Darla Sub-Division, RO Phuentsholing, Department of Roads

Time-lapse photos of Sonambja landslide:

2013

2014

2017

2019

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4 SONABJA Site Report, Darla Sub-Division, RO Phuentsholing, Department of Roads

Recommendation
1. Regional Office is recommended to adopt to the existing road design
drawing submitted earlier by Design Division.
2. The design specification for benching shall be discussed at DCC for
necessary action.
3. Regional Office is recommended to do Bioengineering works
wherever possible for stabilization purpose.

Submitted By:
Geotechnical Section
Design Division
Department of Roads
Ministry of Works & Human Settlement

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