The much-awaited bridge over the Kurichhu at Dorjilung along the Monggar-Lhuentse highway is expected to be constructed by end of this year. The residents of Tsamang Gewog in Monggar have been waiting for the bridge for more than a year. Construction of the bridge is one of the pledges of the Monggar constituency’s Member of Parliament Karma Lhamo during the bye-election last year.
Today, without a motorable bridge, the people of Tsamang Gewog leave their vehicles along the Monggar and Lhuentse highway at Dorjilung. From there, they have to walk for more than two hours to reach the Gewog office using a suspension bridge.
The residents fear that the pledge will remain on paper as the government’s term is about to end.
“The government of the day as well as the MP of Monggar constituency promised to construct a motorable bridge at Dorjilung. And we are still hopeful that a bridge will be constructed. Moreover, the MP during her constituency visit in the gewog said the plan to construct a bridge is still there. We are still waiting for a bridge before the government tenure ends,” said Yeshi Thinley, a resident.
“Some people even called the MP and asked about the update. During her constituency visit recently, some also asked her when will the construction start. We also told her that having a motorable bridge will save cost and time,” said Yeshi Lhadon, another resident.
According to Monggar MP Karma Lhamo, the works got delayed as DoR regional office in Lingmithang had to plan the Monggar-Lhuentse national highway widening works before commencing the bridge construction works.
“The bridge construction got delayed because of the road widening plan of Gangola to Lhuentse highway in the next financial year. The Ministry of Works and Human Settlement decided to firstly widen the highway from the bridge point. An approach road will be constructed and then the bridge. So, we are planning to start the construction of the bridge by the end of this year,” said MP Karma Lhamo.
The Department of Roads has also transported the old bridge parts from Punatsangchu to nearby Dorjilung, which will be used for the bridge construction.
According to the Chief Engineer of the Regional Office of the Department of Roads in Lingmethang, a bailey bridge will be constructed. If the motorable bridge comes through, it will shorten the distance between Lhuentse and Thimphu by 32 kilometres and travel time by about an hour.
Sonam Tshering, Lhuentse
Edited by Tshering Zam
