In Samdrup Jongkhar, residents of Samdrupchhoeling town continue to grapple with drinking water shortage as they await the completion of a much-needed water treatment plant. The treatment plant was supposed to be completed about two years ago, but the project remains unfinished even today. This has forced them to rely on a nearby stream, an unreliable solution, especially during the dry season.
Residents have been using water pumps to draw water from the nearby stream. It is then stored in water tanks.
In the new Samdrupchhoeling town, eight individuals have constructed houses. However, without a reliable water supply, their lives remain challenging.
Bhagawatti Gurung, a resident said “It is difficult as we do not have a proper drinking water supply. They told us that we would receive drinking water during the construction time itself. But we still do not have a proper drinking water supply.”
Manjita Darjee, another resident said “I am currently constructing a building. We use water pumps to supply water but the stream has dried up. So, I am drawing water from the river for construction.”
Bishnu Maya Darjee, who is a resident said “It has been two years since I finished the construction of the house. We still do not have a proper water supply.”
Except for the treatment plant, the water distribution network is already installed and the water source, located a few kilometres from the town, has also been identified.
The Samdrupchhoeling Dungkhag Administration said 90 per cent of the treatment plant construction is completed. Despite the delay, they decided against terminating the contractor as the work is nearing completion. However, the contractor will be subjected for liquidated damages, meaning the contractor will be fined for the delay.
According to the contractor, the project experienced delays due to the unavailability of electrical and mechanical items in many parts of India.
Additionally, after sourcing the parts, the Indian supplier declined to provide technical expertise due to the long distance.
The contractor made other arrangements to bring in the required expertise to install the electrical items.
The contractor said he would expedite the work to supply the water soon.
While it is not known when the treatment plant will be completed, residents remain hopeful that they will soon receive a reliable water supply.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
