It has been over seven years since Gaeddu town came into being. However, Laptshakha, the densely populated part of the town lacks proper water source. Gaeddu town, when planned, was divided into three different parts.
The residents of Laptshakha, say they have been depending on the overflowing water from the tank belonging to Gaeddu College of Business Studies. “Unless the water overflows, we don’t get water. At times, there’s no water for weeks,” said Gaeddu’s Thromdey Thuemi, Sonam Tobgay.
He added that in the past two years, the problem became even more severe. He said the water pipes have been leaking at various points without proper maintenance.
When the tank does not overflow, they have to depend on the spring water located above their town.
For residents like Indra Kumari, her house owner has connected a personal water pipe from one of the spring waters to the house. Most have resorted to a similar practice. “This has helped address the problem. At times, neighbours come to our place to fetch water because the dzongkhag water supply is not 24 hours,” she said.
The Chhukha dzongkhag municipality said, the budget for connecting the town with a separate water source has been included in the current Five Year plan. They said the work has been already tendered out.
