Suspension bridge damaged

Jun 19, 2010

Villagers of Tongzgang and Yangtse Geogs in Trashiyangtse are facing inconvenience after the suspension bridge at Somed was damaged.

The bridge was damaged in January when the workers of Department of Roads were widening a blind curve on Trashigang-Trashiyangtse highway. With the bridge damaged, people have to take a detour to reach the town or the Dzongkhag. This means they have to walk an hour and a half extra.

The bridge benefits 360 households of the two Geogs. The tower on one end of the bridge was hit and damaged and the iron cables were broken. As a result it has become difficult even for a person without any load to cross the bridge.

The Rabtoe Tshogpa of Yangtse Geog said the bridge was constructed by the villagers with funds from the government.

He said it is worse when villagers get sick or when they have to go to the Dzongkhag for important works.

The Junior Engineer of the Department of Roads from Buna in Rangjung said the bridge is essential for the villagers. The Dzongkhag and the department of roads have decided to reconstruct the bridge.

The reconstruction works are expected to start by the end of October.