They needed motorable bridges to connect their farm roads. But when the waiting got longer, they took it upon themselves to construct temporary bridges. Today, Orong Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar has four wooden bridges constructed by the residents. However, they fear the bridges might not last long.
Jangchubling village was connected with a farm road earlier last year. However, the road failed to serve its purpose without a motorable bridge over the Gamtshalu river. The residents then constructed a temporary bridge to make use of the road.
Similarly, villagers of Remung, Thungshing, and Nakla have also constructed temporary wooden bridges over the Khasharong river and Gamtshalu river. The villages got farm roads about three to five years back. However, they say the temporary bridges are not stable. Only light vehicles could pass through.
“The temporary bridges might get washed away by the river during the monsoon. All of us contributed to constructing these bridges. We will be grateful if we get a permanent bridge,” said a resident.
“I don’t know how long the wooden bridges will last but for now we are using wooden bridges for temporary measure, it may last about two years,” added another.
However, the Orong gewog administration said there are no plans to construct any bridges in the current plan. The gewog said it will consult the dzongkhag administration and propose it in the next five-year plan.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sonam
