Blending modern engineering with Bhutan’s age-old traditions, a steel arch pedestrian bazam has been inaugurated in Phuentshogling. Built entirely with durable materials, the bridge is designed to withstand the region’s southern climate.
Standing over the Om Chhu, the steel arch bazam combines Bhutanese aesthetics with precise engineering.
Designed for local environmental conditions and long-term maintenance, the 44-metre bridge is built entirely of steel, stone, and reinforced concrete, with no wood used.
It connects Phuentshogling’s core town with the Phuentshogling Township Development Project (PTDP) area.
“Bazam structures are usually not suitable for southern Bhutan. We designed this bridge using materials that can withstand the local climate. We used only steel, along with stone and reinforced concrete. There is no wood in any part of the bridge,” said Kamal Dhakal, the project director with PTDP, Phuentshogling.
The bridge, part of the Phuentshogling Township Development Project, was inaugurated yesterday.
Its construction was not easy. The project faced design challenges, difficulty in sourcing suitable materials, skilled workmanship, and finishing. The bridge had to meet both structural needs and the traditional look of a bazam.
Kamal Dhakal said, “This bridge plays a crucial role. It reflects our identity to regional visitors, investors, and tourists. Many tourists first notice this bazam because it is unique in this part of the country. It also connects to the riverside walkways built under the PTDP, which are the first of their kind in Bhutan. The bridge links Phuentshogling’s core area with the township development project.”
Built with funding from the Asian Development Bank, the bridge cost nearly 32 million ngultrum.
As it begins to serve pedestrians and connect communities, it reflects a balance of tradition, sustainability, and modern engineering in Phuentshogling’s evolving urban landscape.
Kinley Dem
Edited by Sangay Chezom
