Residents of Nganglam Town are still awaiting the completion of a drinking water supply project that was started about seven years ago. With the town’s growth and increasing number of new buildings and infrastructure, the demand for public facilities, including water, has risen. However, the community continues to struggle to meet their water needs.
In Nganglam Town, the wait for a reliable drinking water supply seems endless. The residents rely on private water connections for their water needs.
In upper Nganglam, most residents draw water from a single source located below the main road. Over 20 water pumps are installed on this water source alone.
It is the same in other parts of Nganglam town, where people are similarly facing difficult times.
“In the past, it was quite sufficient for us. Now with growing numbers of houses here, we are facing an acute shortage of water,” said Tenzin Chogyal, a resident.
“There are so many pumps installed at the water source, so it finishes during the daytime. So, we go at night to get water. We have tenants from whom we are collecting rent and we have to provide them with sufficient water. But we are unable to do that so it’s very awkward for us,” said Kinley Gyelmo, also a resident.
Residents say a water project was started in 2017 which they had hoped would provide enough water for everyone. But this has not yet happened.
According to residents, the first phase which was to construct a reservoir tank, and a water tank at the source and construct pipelines between the two got delayed by a year. It was completed only in 2019.
Works to construct a water treatment plant and lay distribution pipelines under the second phase were started in late 2021. While the distribution pipes are ready, the treatment plant remains incomplete. The project engineer said that the delay was caused because a few electrical equipment could not be procured.
However, orders have now been placed and the equipment is expected soon. The project is now expected to be completed by the end of next month. The two-phase project is expected to cost more than Nu 150 M.
According to a dzongkhag official, there are more than 5,400 people residing in Nganglam town.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
