Residents of Tsangkha Gewog in Dagana are looking forward to the construction of a motorable bridge over Sunkosh River. If a bridge is constructed, it will connect the gewog with Tsirang-Wangdue Highway. They said the bridge would shorten their travel time significantly. Recently, a team of experts visited the site to assess feasibility.
Having a motorable bridge over the river will not only benefit residents of Tsangkha Gewog but also of Laja Gewog.
Currently, people of upper Tsangkha and Laja have to take a long detour to reach their villages. And people of lower Tsangkha such as those living in Gelegchhu Chiwog use a suspension bridge after parking their cars along the Tsirang-Wangdue Highway in Serutar.
Budhi Man Subba, a resident said “Having a motorable bridge here would shorten travel distance and benefit not only Tsangkha Gewog but also Laja Gewog and some parts of Drujeygang Gewog. Without a motorable bridge, we face significant challenges.”
Nar Bdr. Rai, another resident said “We have to travel over 30 kilometres to reach Serutar from our village when we travel via Babithang. If a motorable bridge is constructed over Sunkosh, it will just take three kilometres.
Karna Bdr. Rai, who is also a resident said “The government told us that we will be getting a motorable bridge. A survey has been already conducted recently. We would be grateful if the government could prioritise it and start construction works immediately.”
Meanwhile, a team of experts from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and Dagana district and Tsangkha Gewog Administrations recently visited Serutar, the proposed bridge site.
Infrastructure and transport minister Chandra Bdr. Gurung during the recent Meet the Press session said, the construction of the motorable bridge in the area would depend on the findings of the team.
“We do not have a separate budget allocated for the bridge construction in the 13th Five Year Plan. But if the expert team concludes that constructing a motorable bridge is feasible and that it benefit the community, then we will have to start pre-planning works for the construction works.”
Meanwhile, over a telephone interview, Neuly Tshering, Tsangkha Gup also emphasised the urgent need for a bridge.
“The expert team during the survey last time estimated that the bridge construction work would cost more than Nu 70 M. I then consulted the infrastructure and transport minister and our MP. They said the current budget, which is over Nu 20 M is for preliminary works and that they would release additional fund. They said that the budget is approved.”
Having a motorable bridge will not only shorten the travel time but also improve access to market for the farmers, boosting their economy.
Pema Tshewang, Dagana
