The people of Chhimung village in Pema Gatshel are hopeful that they will soon have access to adequate drinking water. With the construction of a water pump and reservoirs completed, the villagers are expecting that it will solve the long-standing water problem in the village. There are about 50 households in the village.
For years, the Chhimung villagers faced severe water shortages as they relied on a small source. But now, they will receive enough water as a new water pump system has been built to pump water from a new source. It is located about two kilometres downhill from the village.
With construction works completed, it is expected that the water will be released within a few weeks’ time.
“If they start drawing water with the pump, we are hoping the water shortage will be solved. We do not have enough water, so we are not able to maintain proper hygiene. Once we get the new water supply, we hope that we will be able to maintain cleanliness,” said Kezang Dupjur, a resident.
“The government has constructed a pump for us. We are now planning to cultivate vegetables for self-consumption,” said Bumchu Wangdi, another resident.
There are two pump stations and three reservoirs.
Once the water is supplied, water meters are expected to be installed on individual water taps. This is to ensure ownership as villagers will not waste the water unnecessarily.
“For the water pump, we have to pay the electricity bill. So, we would like to install individual water meters so that people will pay as per their usage,” said Bumchu Wangdi, a resident.
“It is almost June and we don’t have the budget allocated for this financial year. But we will make sure to allocate budget in next financial year. We will make sure to install the metres as they have suggested that it will benefit them,” said Yeshi Wangdi, Chhimung Gup.
The gewog administration and the Water Flagship Programme invested more than Nu 2.3 M for the project.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Tshering Zam
