Residents of Bamdhir-Wogmanang Chiwog in Trashi Yangtse are calling for a motorable bridge over the Dechen Phodrang River. Without one, students and residents have to cross a suspension bridge on foot, with some children walking for nearly two hours to reach school.
Students use this bridge every day on their way to and from school. It connects their homes to the school, making it an essential part of their daily journey.
Without the bridge, crossing the river would be unsafe, especially when the water level rises.
Bamdhir and Wogmanang villages have had a farm road for more than five years. But the road ends at the Dechen Phodrang suspension bridge. Without a motorable bridge, residents have to cross the river on foot.
This makes travel difficult for residents, especially students attending Wogmanang Primary School.
“Our school is quite far from our homes, so getting here is difficult. We have to leave early in the morning and walk for a long time. Sometimes, the younger children find it difficult to walk, and we end up getting late to school,” said Jigme Yeshi Choden, a student at Wogmanang Primary School, Bumdeling Gewog, Trashi Yangtse.
“Our children have to walk for almost two hours to get to school. They have to wake up very early, and by the time they return home, they are already exhausted. Sometimes, they are too tired even to study and fall asleep without having dinner. We are also worried about their safety, especially when they have to cross the wide and deep river,” said Tshundu Rabgay, a resident of Bamdhir, Bumdeling Gewog, Trashi Yangtse.
“Without a bridge, it is difficult for us to travel to the other side of the river and reach the Gewog office. We have to go through Yangtse town, which takes more time and costs more, especially with the rising fuel prices. A bridge would make things much easier and more convenient for us,” said Sonam Zangmo, a resident of Wogmanang, Bumdeling Gewog, Trashi Yangtse.
During the monsoon, some parents accompany their children across the river. But most of the time, the children make the journey on their own while their parents work on their farms.
“Engineers and experts from Thimphu visited the site and carried out a cost estimate. Based on the estimate, we have proposed Nu 11.1 M for the bridge. We are now preparing to award the construction work to a contractor,” said Mani Dorji, Bumdeling Gup, Trashi Yangtse.
The proposed bridge is expected to benefit students, residents of nearly 100 households and devotees visiting Dechen Phodrang Nye.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
