Every summer, people of Phongmey Gewog under Trashigang have been going through difficult times, crossing the Dungjuri stream. Enough of the hard times, they are now asking for a bridge.
Just a small volume today, the stream, which is located a kilometre away from Phongmey Gewog centre towards Trashigang swells during monsoon, blocking the passage through the road. Among many, it poses threats to school goers.
A student, who has to cross the stream to reach the school, said frequent floods occur during summer.
“When the stream swells, we can’t go to school and often we get late,” Jigme Pema Wangmo said.
A villager, Langa, said that they face difficulties crossing the swollen stream during monsoon, especially during emergencies. He said even vehicles can’t cross the stream. He added that only a bridge will solve the problem.
The road is also the lifeline for the Phongmey Basic Health unit, the gewog and forest park offices. And crossing the stream doesn’t come without compromises, especially when they have to access health services and other functions.
A teacher from Dungtse Central School, Kinley Wangchuk, said since the road is located between the school and the nearest BHU; they face difficulties during medical emergencies.
“The problem is also not new to the staff of the school. We are about 50 of us and we face problems while going shopping in Trashigang,” he added.
According to Phongmey Gup Namgay Wangdi, people have been requesting a bridge over the stream. However, it could not be materialized over land stability issues.
“We also recommended another location, at about 400 meters above this site that connects Bargonpa village, but people prefer the bridge here,” the gup said.
However, it won’t be long before the problem is solved.
The dzongkhag administration has already allocated a budget to construct Reinforced Concrete Culvert at the site. It is a structure that channels the watercourse underneath.
This will benefit about 360 households of Lem and Phongmeychiwogs, besides the school, gewog and forest park offices.
In the meantime, the stream is also a source of irrigation water for the farmers of the two chiwogs.
Sonam Darjay
Edited by Chayku
