In Samdrup Jongkhar, residents of Nabar-Philuma chiwog in Orong gewog get cut off every monsoon. With no motorable bridge over the Dewri River, they have no way out. Now, they are hopeful. A new bridge is under construction, and it promises year-round road access.
It has been raining for the past few days, causing the Dewri River to swell and making it impossible for vehicles to cross.
The farm road to Nabar-Philuma chiwog remains cut off, leaving 54 households isolated from the rest of the district. Residents currently have to walk to the gewog centre, schools, or health facilities, which takes around three hours.
However, this is set to change by next monsoon, as a bailey bridge is now under construction.
Once complete, the bridge will allow uninterrupted traffic, even during heavy rains.
“We are thankful to the government for constructing the farm road, but without a bridge, we are facing problems. Once the bridge is complete, travel will be much more convenient. Right now, it is difficult when children fall sick,” said Dorji Pema, a resident of Philuma.
“Once the bridge is completed, it will really help us. Right now, the road is usable only in winter, but with bridge, we can travel in summer as well. We sell butter and cheese, and at the moment we have to carry them on our backs to the market,” said Phuntsho Wangmo, a resident of Philuma.
In addition, the gewog administration plans to lay gravel and improve the farm road once the bridge is completed.
Orong Gup Pema Gyelpo said, “The bridge construction is scheduled for 11 months, starting from April 20 and has to be completed by March 2026. It has been three months now, and we have spoken with the contractor. By looking at the current situation, we are hoping that bridge construction will be completed early, possibly within five months.
The 45-meter-long bailey bridge is being constructed for Nu 14 M.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
