Plans to construct a temporary Bailey bridge at Chamkuna in Amochhu have been stalled after Druk Holding and Investments declined to grant clearance. Phuentshogling Thromde proposed its construction to restore traffic along the Phuentshogling-Samtse highway and as an immediate measure to minimise traffic disruptions caused by recurring flooding in the Chamkuna area.
Repeated flooding caused by upstream landslides continues to pose risks to residents, disrupt traffic, and affect daily activities.
Representatives from the thromde, gewog, dungkhag, police, and other relevant agencies tabled the bridge construction proposal as a solution to the recurring issue during a stakeholders’ meeting, held a few weeks ago.
The bridge was planned within the DHI’s Phuentshogling Township Development Project area and would reconnect with the Phuentshogling-Samtse highway beyond the affected section.
According to Phuentshogling Thromde officials, the proposal received support from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. However, the project could not proceed after the DHI declined to issue the required clearance.
“Firstly, they said that they have to meet their project completion deadline and need to continue their work without interruption. The proposed Bailey bridge falls within their project area, where they also have to construct a pedestrian bridge. Secondly, they said construction activities are currently in full swing, with much work still underway. They said that diverting light vehicle traffic through the project area would disrupt the ongoing works. And therefore, we could not get the clearance,” said Pema, the executive secretary of Phuentshogling Thromde.
The DHI, on the other hand, said that as the Phuentshogling Township Development Project remains an active construction site, constructing a Bailey bridge for vehicle movement through the area would disrupt ongoing works, restrict equipment and material movement, and risk delaying the project, which has to be completed before the revised ADB loan closing date.
The project closing date has been extended to December 2027 after missing the initial December 2025 deadline.
The company added that the project will construct a new permanent pedestrian bridge, designed to withstand flood and debris flow, to restore connectivity.
The recurring flooding, aside from affecting traffic flow and livelihoods, has also damaged the developed areas of the Phuentshogling Township Development Project. It damaged infrastructure including concrete pavements, street footpaths, electrical cables in the trench, and greenery and landscape works.
The executive secretary said, “The flooding has huge effect on the Phuentshogling Township Development Project. We have also been indicating them that they have high stake. We have no idea of what short term and long-term interventions they are putting in or planning as they have not told us anything. They are indicating that it is the responsibility of Thromde and Dungkhag to do everything.”
She added that the thromde has already spent more than three million ngultrum on clearing flood debris. However, with a large volume of sediment continuing to accumulate, its removal and disposal have become increasingly challenging.
According to the thromde, sediment management has been identified as a key component of the long-term strategy. The thromde has also written to the Department of Geology and Mines to explore the possibility of exporting the sediment, following suggestions from exporters.
For now, the thromde is monitoring the accumulation of sediment to assess the extent of the deposits before finalising long-term redevelopment and flood mitigation plans.
Kinley Dem & Anita Chhetri
Edited by Phub Gyem
