A bridge over Langar River in Sarpang has been locals’ dream for some years now. And again locals were told that the project is too expensive to execute for the district administration.
This was informed during the meeting between the Gelegphu’s Member of Parliament, Lyonpo Karma Donen Wangdi, and the people of four gewogs across Mao River.
In almost every official public meeting, the need for a bridge over Langar River was raised. For the people of Tareythang, the facility has been on the wish list for years now. They say it is mainly for the convenience of their children who go to Umling Lower Secondary School and have to cross the river on the way.
Today, parents have to escort their children to and from the school fearing the worst while crossing Langar River.
“If possible, a motor-able bridge would be better. Otherwise, a suspension bridge has become more than necessary. Our children, after completing class six from Tareythang School have to go to Umling School to continue their studies. So when there is heavy rainfall, the river swells and our children have to miss their classes,” said Tenzin Namgay, from Tareythang Gewog, Sarpang.
The Sarpang Dzongda said the gewog administration did away with the plan of a bridge since it requires a huge amount of money. The bridge will have to be at least 120 metres long. Instead, the office decided to construct an alternate 7-kilometre road between Umling and Tareythang.
“The area is too vast for us to construct a bridge across. This monsoon, the department of roads tried constructing a road using hume pipes. But, it did not last even for a night and was washed away. Constructing a bridge over the river will be expensive. Therefore, for the benefit of everyone, we want to construct a bypass from the dungkhag Bridge. Its first cutting is already included in the gewog’s plan,” said Karma Galay, the Sarpang Dzongda.
But for the locals, the bypass would not be of much benefit. It would double the walking distance to the school.
“Our children studying in classes 7 and 8 are day scholars. So, instead of a bridge, if the road is constructed as planned, they will have to walk around 14 kilometres in a day to attend school. This is why we are requesting for a bridge over Langar River,” shared Dhanman Gurung, also from Tareythang Gewog.
The MP, who is the Communications and Information Minister, asked the dzongkhag and the concerned gewog administrations to come to a consensual alternative to the matter. He added, the visit this time, is largely to promote a democratic setting and involve people from far-flung areas in the process of decision making by hearing their issues.
