October 28: The dust produced from the highway expansion is causing a lot of problem to commuters as well as pedestrians. The most affected are students who walk on these roads everyday.

When you drive from Khasadrapchu don’t be alarmed if you see students using nose masks. It is not because there is an outbreak of a deadly disease. They are doing so to protect themselves from the dust produced by the expansion of the highway which is further aggravated by passing vehicles.

Since the school is located just below the highway, hundreds of students walk up and down the highway to attend school everyday. Wearing nose mask is the only way to protect themselves from the dust.

The Principal of the school Tshering Choden said there was nothing they could do. She said they used to advise the students to cover their mouth and go home directly.

Dr. K P Tshering, a child specialist with the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral hospital said dust is harmful to the respiratory system.

The nose masks were donated to the school by Karma Lam Dorji, who is working in the department of youth and sports. He distributed about 880 nose masks to the students.

Dr. K P Tshering said the nose mask will act as a filter preventing the dust particles from entering into the lungs.