The motorable bridge over Thewar Chhu in Gelephu was inaugurated yesterday. The bridge will serve as a lifeline for the people of four gewogs across the Mao River.
The bridge was inaugurated by the Dzongda of Sarpang dzongkhag.
People use temporary bridges to cross the Thewar and Mao Rivers when the monsoon season begins. Some brave their way through the river. But when the monsoon is at its peak, the four gewogs remain accessible only by boat.
“The river has been posing a huge risk to the lives of the people. Every year at least one person is washed away by the river. The bridge will benefit the people immensely,” said the Sarpang Dzongda Dawala.
The former MP of Gelephu Constituency, Prem Kumar Gurung, who was also present at the inaugural ceremony, said although the bridge over Mao khola did not materialize, he is happy the people now have an alternative.
“When we campaigned we promised to construct a bridge over the Mao Khola. But later we found that it was going to be very expensive to construct a bridge over the river.”
He said since it was difficult to mobilize such a huge amount, they thought an alternative was necessary even if it meant temporarily.
Even though many people are happy with the initiative there are others who are still apprehensive over some safety issues.
Sershong Gup, Sangay Younten, said a lot of money has been invested in the construction of the bridge. “If the retaining wall and drain along the road are not constructed, the huge investment will go waste when the monsoon comes.”
On one side of the bridge, there is a need to construct a retaining wall as the soil is very loose according to the locals. Another concern is the need for drain along the newly constructed seven kilometer road that connects both sides of the bridge.
The bridge has a load capacity of 20 metric tons and was constructed at a cost of Nu.10.5 million.
