Residents of Tshaluna and Jimina chiwogs of Maedwang Gewog in Thimphu have to constantly worry about the poor condition of the Log Bridge that connects them to the rest of the places. They say the bridge which is in poor condition and needs immediate replacement can only be used by light vehicles currently. This, according to the residents, hampers load transportation to and from the two chiwogs.
The current log bridge was constructed around 16 years ago by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for logging purposes.
It is the only means of transport for the residents.
As the log bridge has a limited load-carrying capacity, heavy vehicles have to cross the river. During the monsoon when the river swells, heavy vehicles cannot transport goods to and from the two chiwogs causing inconveniences.
“My house was constructed in 2022. While constructing the house, heavy materials such as stone, sand and cement had to be transported by heavy vehicles. As the bridge could not carry the load of the heavy vehicles, the trucks had to cross the river. While the trucks can cross the river without much difficulty sometimes, it becomes challenging at times due to heavy load. The trucks would get stuck in river,” said Khandu Wangmo, a resident of Chimeythangkha.
She also added that there is a safety risk as the bridge lacks railings.
The lack of a proper motorable bridge also affects the farmers in transporting their produce to the market.
“We have to take our vegetables to market crossing the bridge. If we have truckloads of produce, the vehicle cannot cross the bridge. So, it has to be transported by light vehicles in smaller amounts. The bridge cannot carry too much load and it is too old that it might collapse anytime,” said Chencho Tshering, a resident of Kemgang.
“As the bridge is not steady, we have to cross the river. When it rains during the summer, it is very difficult to cross the swelling river. Sometimes load-carrying vehicles have to postpone their journey if it rains,” said Nidup Dorji, another resident of Chimeythangkha.
“Residents of Jimina have to bring logs and timbers for construction of houses, crossing the bridge. This poses lots of challenges,” said Choki Dorji, Jimina Tshogpa.
Pilgrims visiting Tshelung Ney in Maedwang Gewog, and Jela Dzong, Bemri and Dongkola in Paro also use the bridge.
According to the Chief Engineer of the Department of Surface Transport, 50 feet of the old bailey bridge at Pangrizampa will be used to replace the log bridge at Jimina. The remaining bridge parts will be used to replace the log bridge at Choekhor Lum of Kabisa Gewog.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has allocated a budget of Nu 3.3 M for the construction of the bailey bridge which will have a load-carrying capacity of 18 metric tonnes at Jimina.
Chador Gyeltshen, Chief Engineer, Thimphu’s Regional office DoST said “It is one of the priority projects in the first financial year of the 13th Five-Year Plan. We have already started the work. Design is in progress and tendering will be completed within August. By the first week of September, we will start construction of both abutments and we assure the public we will complete the construction of bridge by 30th March 2025.”
Once complete, the Bailey Bridge will benefit the residents of Tshaluna and some households of Jimina chiwog.
Tashi Chezom and Pema Tshomo
Edited by Phub Gyem
