Serzhong Bridge in Gelephu has transformed into a weekend hotspot. Regional tourists fill the market, enjoying local food, souvenirs, and traditional attire. For local stall owners, the market is now an important source of income and opportunity.
The Serzhong Bridge in Gelephu is becoming more than just a crossing. From just a few stalls two years ago, the area has now turned into a weekend leisure hub, drawing hundreds of regional tourists every week.
Twelve stall owners from Serzhong and Gelephu run stalls here. From traditional cuisines to homemade pickles and souvenirs, the market offers a taste of local life.
And lately, renting traditional clothes for quick photo sessions has become one of the market’s biggest attractions.
Meet 47-year-old Leela Ghalley. One of the first to start this business two years ago. Today, it supports her husband and four children.
“We usually see more tourists on Sundays than on Saturdays. During holidays and special occasions, the crowd is even bigger and we can earn up to Nu 5,000,” said Leela Ghalley, Resident, Serzhong Gewog, Gelephu.
But the crowd brings problems. No toilets. No proper sheds and limited parking space. Even the police struggle to manage the rush.
“In summer, it’s very difficult without a proper market space. Umbrellas don’t protect much, and our goods often get drenched and spoiled. We would be grateful if a small shelter or space could be arranged for us,” said Leela Ghalley, Resident, Serzhong Gewog, Gelephu.
“We don’t have toilet facilities or enough parking for the tourists’ vehicles. The space for our stalls is also very small, and it’s becoming overcrowded as more stall owners join,” said Tshering Lhamo, Resident, Serzhong Gewog, Gelephu.
Despite the challenges, stall owners remain hopeful. They plan to build toilets once they get approval, to make the place more welcoming.
Meanwhile, the Serzhong Gewog Administration says both vendors and private groups have submitted proposals to build shelters and formalise business at the bridge. But with the land belonging to the state, the gewog has referred the matter to the district, and no decision has been made yet.
Until then, these vendors will have to continue to wait, hopeful that their weekend market will one day stand on firmer ground.
Passang Dorji, Gelephu
