People of Tarigaon village of Dophoogchen Gewog in Dorokha, are busy carrying out electricity wiring works at their homes. Ever since they were promised access to electricity, the people are overjoyed and awaiting for electrification works to complete. So far, the Rural Electrification and Construction Department in Samtse has completed erecting electrical poles and laying of electrical wires in most of the Gewogs.
Although Tarigaon is one of the villages located nearest to Dorokha town the village did not have access to electricity. Villagers have been using kerosene and firewood for cooking and lighting their houses. Now, the villagers are anticipating anxiously for the power supply to come to their village.
“With electricity supply, we don’t have to worry even if the kerosene runs out of stock. We use kerosene lamp to study and not more than two people can study with this lamp. We always had to compromise with our study hours due to limited fuel. With electricity, our lives will be better,” said excited and elated Karuna, a student.
“We have been using firewood for cooking,” said Tika Maya, “and to purchase kerosene, we have to work overtime to make extra income. Electricity will improve our livelihood, and will reduce the use of fire wood and kerosene.”
Villagers said the electricity will also help them maintain cleanliness.“Electricity supply in our village will help us keep our houses and utensils clean. The trouble to fetch kerosene from BOD for lighting and cooking will be reduced. With electricity supply, we don’t have to collect firewood from the forest,” said Simral Adikari.
The Rural Electrification Construction Department of Samtse started carrying out excavation works and erecting electrical poles from April, last year. As of now, the department has electrified a total of over 100 households under Dorokha Dungkhag, including some houses at Gakiling Gewog under Haa Dzongkhag.
The rural electrification works in Samtse is being funded by the JICA.
