The Langchenphu bridge in Lhuentse collapsed one day prior to its completion. The 140 feet long bridge gave way on the January 15 after the launching nose of the bridge broke. Only one worker at the site suffered a hand fracture, the rest escaped unhurt.
The launching nose is said to have broken as it had been old.
The bridge is being built by the Construction Development Corporation Limited (CDCL). CDCL officials have said, in their defence, that except for the launching nose, they have been following proper construction norms. The CDCL Regional office in Lingmithang has built 15 bridges, so far, and this bridge is the first one to collapse. The CDCL hopes to have the bridge complete in a little over a week’s time.
The bridge, when complete, will connect the remote villages of Kurtoe Gewog.