Despite an inadequate budget, Wangdue Phodrang district administration plans to float a tender to supply clean drinking water for Bajo town and nearby areas. The project, estimated to cost more than Nu 160 M, is prioritized in the 2024-2025 Financial Year. The district administration has only Nu 10 M. The tender is expected to float next month.
Residents of Bajo town and nearby areas have been facing problems in accessing clean drinking water for more than a decade.
They have been resorting to the Baychhu stream above Rakhi Zampa for daily consumption.
Although the plan to supply clean drinking water for Bajo town and nearby areas has been approved in the 12th Five-Year Plan, it could not materialize as there were objections in obtaining social clearance.
The issue was once again raised in the Dzongkhag Tshogdu last month.
Kinley Dendup, Phangyuel Mangmi said “The total estimated cost for the water supply project is Nu 161 M. However, the total budget for our district itself is only Nu 70 M. So, if this is the case, when will the Bajo drinking water supply work complete? We are extremely worried.”
Chado, Gase Tsho-wom Gup said “It will help complete the Bajo drinking water supply works if any surplus budgets from other projects can be diverted to this project.”
The issue was discussed thoroughly and considering the urgent need for clean drinking water supply, the district administration plans to start the works with the current allocated budget.
According to the plan, clean drinking water will be supplied from Wakhashong stream in Bjena Gewog which is about 25 kilometres from Bajo town.
People say the existing water supply is not safe for drinking, especially during summer when wastewater and irrigation water flow into it.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu has decided to manage the budget from surplus budgets of other projects after consulting with relevant authorities.
Kinzang Thinley, Dzongkhag Tshogdu Chairperson said “We are granting permission from here itself to divert the budget for Bajo drinking water supply if any of the approved projects get cancelled later on. Gewogs also know very well that overall savings, which refer to the left-over budget in the district, cannot be claimed by any gewog. So, this left-over budget will be used for Wangdue drinking water supply project.”
An official says the completion of the project will depend on the availability of the budget.
This means residents of Bajo town and nearby areas will be able to have clean drinking water in the next one and a half years if the district administration can manage the budget as expected.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Phub Gyem
