For the residents of Bjobisa village in Thimphu’s Jimina Chiwog, the struggle for water has become a daily battle. A water project was expected to solve it, but despite efforts from the central and the local governments, it failed to deliver. After spending millions on the project, the water could not reach the village, leaving residents frustrated and desperate.
The Jadingkha water project was initiated between around a decade ago to supply water from the Jadingkha water source.
It was initially planned to supply water for more than 100 households.
Residents said since the Jadingkha water source and Bjobisa village are located on opposite hilltops, the water pressure is insufficient to push the flow to the tank.
Despite attempts to make the water project functional by replacing plastic pipes with metal ones, it still failed.
This is the endpoint where water from Jadingkha should be flowing. However, the tank has been lying idle for over three years.
Some residents said they received a small amount of water from the source, while others said they did not get any at all.
They also expressed their concerns over the shortcomings of the water project.
Jochu, a resident said“If this situation continues, both the government’s investment and the people’s hard work will be wasted. Jimina has very fertile land that can grow all kinds of vegetables. Most of us depend on agriculture, particularly vegetable farming, yet, this water shortage remains our biggest challenge.”
Another resident Sonam Pem said “People living near the stream can pump water, but for those of us further away, that is not an option. Some people manage to source water from different places, but our community continues to face severe shortages. Initially, we could draw little water from the Jadingkha source and we worked hard to restore it. Unfortunately, the supply lasted only a week before frequent maintenance issues emerged. In the end, the water project has not benefitted us at all.”
Kelden Dema, who is also a resident said “As more households were established, additional pipes were connected, worsening the shortage. We are struggling with an acute lack of irrigation water, and even drinking water is scarce. Although the government and the gewog office provided us the project, which was handed over to contractors, we never received water. We contributed money and labour, yet still, we did not receive water.”
Some people have been relying on a small water source near the village while others pump water from the stream.
The Maedwang Gewog Administration is exploring other solutions to restore the water project. They plan to either change the pipeline or identify a new water source.
The gewog office said Nu 4 M will be allocated from the Small Development Project to address the issue.
Kinzang Lhadon/Deki Lhazom
Edited by Tshering Zam
