Missing three deadlines, the construction of drains in Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde is causing inconveniences to the residents. They say the incomplete open drains endanger the lives of pedestrians and motorists. Moreover, with the rainy season just around the corner, they fear the drains will turn into breeding grounds for mosquitoes and flies.
Business in Samdrup Jongkhar is slow. And the open drain between the shops and the road is making it worse. Customers have to cross the drain risking falling into it to get to the shops.
“The work is not completed on time. There are not many customers and even if there are, there is no proper way to come and there are no parking spaces. Children and people struggle to walk from here without a proper way,” said Tashi Tsheten, a shopkeeper.
Some residents are also facing sewage problems because of the drainage construction which has left some sewage lines damaged.
“There is a sewage leakage in front of my shop. The construction work has damaged the sewage tank some two weeks ago. They repaired it but the smell is still there. The stench is too much,” added Wangchuk, also a shopkeeper in town.
The drainage construction work started in May 2020. It was supposed to complete by March last year, however, the first lockdown affected the work progress.
While the thromde gave a 5-month time extension until August last year, further lockdowns in the town delayed the work. Hence, the deadline was again extended until last month.
According to the contractor, working in a containment mode was not possible during lockdowns since the construction area is in the middle of town where many cases were detected. He also said all his foreign workers went back during the recent lockdown and he could not find any Bhutanese workers willing to work in the construction of drains.
However, he says work will resume soon as he is importing some Indian workers.
Meanwhile, the thromde administration tender committee is discussing to provide another time extension.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sonam
