Regular monitoring, inspection and maintenance of bridges are crucial to keep infrastructure safe, functional and cost-effective. However, concerns remain over whether bridges across the country are receiving regular upkeep. In response, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has begun training engineers and stepping up advocacy to strengthen periodic maintenance efforts.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has trained and advocated engineers from about ten districts.
Officials from the bridge division under the ministry say a majority of bridges in the country lack proper monitoring, inspection and maintenance.
They added that while bridges under their direct jurisdiction are maintained on time, overall upkeep remains a concern.
Tashi Phuntsho, the executive engineer of Bridge Division, MoIT said, “Few years back, we got a project from JICA called the Technical Cooperation Project. While the experts were here, we developed guidelines, manuals and SoPs to ensure longer lifespan of bridges. This training is to help engineers implement those practices.”
Participants said that once bridges are constructed and handed over, maintenance activities are rarely carried out.
However, following the training, they now understand the importance of regular monitoring and upkeep, and plan to prioritise these tasks.
Mahesh Tamang who works as civil engineer at Regional Office for Infrastructure Development, Phuentshogling said,“The bridges in urban areas are taken care. But especially the bridges in rural areas, we feel many are not maintained. We did not get trainings like this before. But now we understood why, how and what should we do. We will now implement these ideas.”
Karma Wangdi, the project manager of Regional Office, Department of Surface of Transport, Lobesa, Punakha said, “Our headquarters often remind us about it and we also do it. But sometimes, we forget when we are caught up with many things to do. So, refresher courses like will help a lot.”
Bridge maintenance includes routine tasks such as cleaning, clearing vegetation and drainage systems, tightening nuts and bolts, and replacing worn-out components.
Recognising its importance, officials urged participants to strengthen maintenance practices and allocate dedicated budget for these works.
Kinley Dem
