Accessibility becomes a major challenge for some communities across the country, especially during the summer months when rivers and streams swell. As a result, many remote villages are cut off from their gewog centres and neighbouring areas. One such village is Serzhong Chiwog in Tsirang’s Pungtenchhu Gewog, which often remains isolated in the absence of a motorable bridge over the Burichhu. However, the situation is expected to change soon with the construction of a motorable bridge over the stream.
The much-awaited bailey bridge construction work began last month, bringing much-needed relief to the people of Serzhong Chiwog. Once complete, the bridge will improve access for the residents and those travelling to and from the chiwog.
Locals say crossing the stream is not an issue for both vehicles and pedestrians during the dry season. But it poses risk during summer as the water level rises significantly. There were incidences of the stream washing away temporary wooden bridges making it difficult for people in the chiwog during times of sickness and emergencies.
However, this will change once the bridge construction work completes in April next year.
“People in my chiwog have plans to start commercial piggery and poultry farms. But for now, they are hesitant to begin fearing that they will not be able to transport their produce if the stream washes away the temporary bridge during summer. So, having a permanent bridge would benefit us a lot,” said Gom Prasad Subba, Serzhong Tshogpa, Pungtenchhu Gewog, Tsirang.
The motorable bridge will also help the Pungtenchhu Gewog Administration to reduce its spending on the construction of temporary wooden bridges. The gewog administration is spending over Nu 8 M, funded by the Government of India.
“Every year, the gewog administration has to construct temporary bridges at least two times. But the temporary bridges are often washed away by flash floods. We do not have any alternate route to the chiwog. We have to spend around Nu 1.5 M from the gewog budget annually to construct temporary bridges,” said Shiva Lal Karaiya, Pungtenchhu Gup, Tsirang.
The chiwog currently has 28 households and a population of over 250.
Both the People’s Democratic Party and Bhutan Tendrel Party pledged to construct a motorable bridge over the stream for the chiwog during the last parliamentary elections.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Phub Gyem
