The decision to construct a motorable bridge over Mangde River in Trongsa has left the people of Jongthang unhappy. They submitted their formal plea of having the bridge constructed next to the existing suspension in writing as well.
The repeated requests of the locals have fallen on deaf ears of the gewog administration officials. The Gewog Tshogde’s move, people say, disregarded the livelihoods of around 30 households who depend on farmlands located across the river.
“Compared to us, I see no difference for the people of Karzhong, Pang, Bemji and villages beyond having a bridge because they already have one near the Gewog office. Moreover, they do not own fields across the river,” said Sangay Dorji, from Jongthang under Nubi Gewog in Trongsa.
“A bridge next to the existing suspension bridge will benefit us immensely because our fields are located on the other side of the river. We have to travel there frequently with our cattle. The current location will only benefit a handful,” added Tandin also from Jongthang.
“If the bridge could be constructed near the Jongthang, the people of Mangdephu will also benefit. We can get across to Bemji road conveniently,” shares Jampay Lhendup, from Mangdephu under the same gewog.
However, the gewog and Dzongkhag Administrations want to connect all the villages with a ring road and a bridge at the identified site will facilitate optimum use of the road. Its budget, which will clear about five kilometres of road, has also been approved under Small Development Projects.
“With a fund of Nu 20 M from the government of India, we will construct a ring road which would connect Gagar, Karzhong, Pang, Bemji, Jongthang, Kabaab and Dharbab. It will benefit around two hundred households,” said Ugyen Tenzin, the Trongsa Dzongkhag Tshogdu Chairperson.
As of now, the construction of the ring road is underway. For the bridge, the gewog administration is yet to manage the budget.
Passang
