Twelve households were relocated to Majwa village for the construction of airport in Samtenling Gewog, Gelegphu in 2011. The village lies near the airport, about three kilometres away from the Gelegphu-Sarpang highway. The people were promised safe drinking water and electricity within three months by the Dzongkhag. It has been almost two years after their relocation.
While they were provided drinking water last year they haven’t received power supply as of now. The heat and rainfall at this time of the year makes it even worse for them.
The people are disappointed. “During the meeting we were told every facility would be provided to us within three months. The second year is about to end and yet we are not provided the electricity. We are still living in the darkness,” said Lal Bir Mahat.
Another resident, Kaushila Neopaney, said they were facing so much difficult without electricity supply. “If there is power we can atleast have a small fan. We have little babies and the heat is unbearable. Even for cooking purpose we have to use firewood.”
“We have apprised Gup and he told us that electricity will be connected within three to four months,” said another, Diliram Bhattarai.
Meanwhile, the Gup, Karma Gayleg, said the Bhutan Power Corporation is aware of the problem and said BPC would provide electricity soon. “Majwa is a small village under Choekhorling Chiwog that had no human settlement till 2011. People were relocated because of the airport construction in 2011.
“Since there was no human settlement prior to the relocation of these people, there was no scheme for electricity supply in the 10th FYP. Therefore, we could not provide electricity but we have talked with the BPC and they have agreed to supply,” said the Gup.
On the other hand, the project manager of rural electrification project from BPC said there is no immediate plan for electricity supply to Majwa. “The electrification of Majwa village might come under the left out village plan that will take a while though nothing concrete has been planned till now,” he added.
