Residents of Serchhenmo and Haila villages in Samdrup Jongkhar’s Wangphu Gewog have long struggled with the daily commute to the Gewog Centre, even though a farm road connects them. That is now set to change, as construction of a long-awaited Bailey bridge over the Nyera Ama river has begun.
Workers are building the abutments on both sides of the river, ahead of the installation of the 180-foot Bailey bridge. The bridge will connect Serchhenmo and Haila villages to the Wangphu Gewog Centre.
At present, residents must leave their vehicles near the river, cross a suspension bridge and walk to the gewog centre to reach essential services, including healthcare.
Residents say the lack of a motorable bridge is hardest on them during medical emergencies.
“Once the bridge is completed, it will greatly benefit the people of Wangphu Gewog, especially during medical emergencies. Currently, we have to leave our vehicles near the river and look for another vehicle on the other side. This is very difficult, particularly during emergencies,” said Sherab Tenzin, a resident.
Before the farm road was built, villagers walked through the forest to reach the gewog centre. The road has made the walk easier, but it has not made the journey possible by vehicle.
“We still cannot travel directly by vehicle from Serchhenmo and Haila villages to the Wangphu Gewog Centre because there is no motorable bridge,” said Tshering Dendup, another resident. “Once the bridge is completed, it will allow us to travel directly between the villages and the gewog centre, making the commute much easier for us.”
Karma, also a resident, said the bridge will benefit the community greatly, since people currently have to switch vehicles on either side of the river during emergencies.
The Government of India is funding the bridge, which costs more than Nu 31 M, under the High Impact Community Development Project. Work is expected to finish by April next year.
Once complete, the bridge is expected to improve connectivity and access to essential services for more than 400 households in Wangphu Gewog.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Phub Gyem
