Residents of the new Samdrupchhoeling Township in Samdrup Jongkhar still do not have reliable and clean water supply. Construction of a water treatment plant and water supply distribution network are ongoing which would solve this issue. But works were supposed to be completed almost five months ago and the completion is expected to take a few more months. Residents are currently relying on a nearby stream for water supply.
Of the 31 plot owners in the new Samdrupchhoeling township, seven have finished constructing their houses. Two houses are under construction.
Loknath Gutam constructed a single-storey house last year. Since then, he has been using electric water pumps to supply water from the nearby stream and river.
“We have water problems here. Currently, the government has not provided water. We have arranged for water supply on our own. But it is difficult during winter as the stream dries up and then we have to depend on the river. I spent Nu 10,000 to bring water here from the river. After one month, the stream will dry and we have to bring water from the river. Tenants refuse to stay in our houses when we supply water from the river,” said Loknath Gutam, a resident.
Like Loknath, other residents are also doing the same thing.
“It has been four years since I started the construction of my house. We do not have a proper water supply and it is inconvenient,” said Tshewang Dorji, a resident.
The construction of the 1.6-million-litre water treatment plant and 2.5-kilometre water supply distribution network was supposed to be finished by May. It remains incomplete and the reason has been cited as due to the pandemic and heavy rainfall.
“At that time, as soon as we got the work order, we could not start the work immediately due to COVID-19. Another reason is that during June last year, the Demola bridge was washed away and for nearly one month, we could not transport our materials to the site. The construction of the filter house was the most difficult one as we could not understand the drawings. With those hindrances, work got delayed,” said Gokarna Bhattarai, a site engineer.
The Samdrupchhoeling Dungkhag Administration says the contractor has asked for a time extension till the end of this month. The Dungkhag Administration has yet to agree to it.
An official from the Dungkhag says most works have been completed and only about 10-15 per cent are left.
The works are being carried out at a cost of about Nu 50 M.
Meanwhile, the residents are hopeful the works will be finished before the taps in their homes run dry.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
