A bridge over the Mao River in Gelephu is a politician’s pledge whenever there is an election. Post elections, it is again the residents themselves who have to construct a temporary bridge in disgruntlement. They have been waiting for the bridge since the first government’s tenure.
Every winter, each household of Chhuzergang Gewog contributes three to four days of labour to construct a temporary bridge. But the bridge is good enough for a few months until the swollen river washes it away.
“We are hoping the present government to construct a bridge over the Mao River. We hope they fulfil their campaign pledge,” said a resident.
However, some residents have now lost all hopes. They allege that the pledge is only for political mileage.
“It is only a pledge to garner votes. The first government promised to construct it, so did the second government but they all failed. Now the Prime Minister also promised but we don’t see any construction taking place,” said Tshering, in Chhuzergang Gewog.
“The government will end its tenure in two years- I don’t think they can construct it anymore since the pandemic has affected the country. However, we will be grateful if they can at least start the work before their term ends,” added another.
Although the gewog is connected by a motor road, a bridge over the Mao River would cut the distance between the gewog and Gelephu by more than half. It takes more than an hour in a car to reach Gelephu from the gewog, but it takes only about half an hour on foot if there is a bridge over the Mao River.
Losing hopes to get a motorable bridge, some residents say a suspension bridge would serve the purpose.
“The promised bridge never came. We know it’s hard to provide because it would be very costly. However, it would benefit us very much if the government could provide us with a suspension bridge like in Umling Gewog,” a resident said.
The government initially allotted Nu 400 M in the 12th plan. And in 2019, a detailed survey was also carried out. But in June last year, the project was put on hold due to the pandemic. The budget was reprioritised for other activities.
For now, as they wait for the pledge to materialise, they will construct a temporary bridge today only to lose it to the monsoon. And they will start it all over again next winter.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Sonam
