Local leaders in Trashigang raised the need for a regional infrastructure development office in the district, similar to the one in neighbouring Monggar. During the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, the local leaders said development activities in the district remain affected after several professional-level engineers from Trashigang were transferred to the Regional Office for Infrastructure Development in Monggar.
Three engineers and an architect from Trashigang District Administration were transferred to the Monggar regional office in mid of this year.
Trashigang District Administration has over 40 staff, including assistant engineers, junior engineers, and technicians
Local leaders said that, being one of the largest districts with gewogs located almost a day’s journey from each other, the shortage of engineers has always remained an issue, and the recent transfers have only added to this, affecting developmental activities.
Some local leaders also claimed that the transfer decision came without any consultation with local authorities.
“Trashigang is one of the largest districts with a need for developmental activities across various sectors. For the gewogs as well, we need engineers to work on projects such as irrigation channel construction and farm roads construction and maintenance,” said Radhi Gup Younten Phuntsho.
Kangpar Gup, Sangay Tenzin, said, “Without engineers, design works and cost estimation tasks will be affected. Likewise, we also need engineers to monitor the quality of construction works carried out by the gewogs. The absence of frequent supervision by the engineers will affect both the quality of work and the completion deadline.”
If possible, we request that to set up a similar regional office in Trashigang. Trashigang alone has 15 gewogs, and Trashi Yangtse has eight gewogs. Therefore, a regional office in Trashigang, to cater to the two districts, will ensure developmental activities will progress without any hindrance,” said Shongphu Gup Jigme Thinley.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu has decided to write a letter, requesting the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport to explore the possibility of establishing a regional office in Trashigang that will also serve Tashi Yangtse.
The ministry established seven regional infrastructure development offices across the country to decentralise design and innovation of infrastructure and to ensure optimum use of human resources and reduce financial burden.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Phub Gyem
