For years, residents of Serzhong Chiwog at Pungtenchhu Gewog in Tsirang have been facing difficulty without a motorable bridge over Burichhu. The gewog administration has been constructing temporary wooden bridges which keep getting washed away by the swelling stream every monsoon. However, things are likely to get better. Hopes are high among the residents, as both BTP and PDP candidates representing the Sergithang-Tsirang Toed Constituency have pledged to prioritize the construction of a motorable bridge over the stream.
Hopes were high when the remote Serzhong community was connected with the rest of the places with a farm road some five years ago. But their delight was short-lived as the stream kept affecting transportation, especially during the summer.
The stream is located at about 30 minutes’ drive from the Pungtenchhu Gewog Center and around three kilometres from Serzhong Chiwog.
As is the case every summer, the swollen stream has washed away the temporary motorable wooden bridge this monsoon and the farm road remained inaccessible for almost six months.
Today, with the decrease in water volume, vehicles can cross the stream. But some 250 residents residing in the chiwog are already worried about the troubles summer will bring.
“It is a problem for Serzhong Chiwog without a motorable bridge over the Burichhu. We have been depending on temporary wooden bridges but when the stream swells the bridges keep getting washed away. We would be grateful if the government could prioritise the construction of a motorable bridge for us,” said Dhan Bdr. Rai, a resident.
“There is a risk of vehicles toppling down the bridge when crossing the stream due to uneven surface beneath the stream. During winter, vehicles can cross the stream with caution but during summer there is a risk of commuters losing their lives when the stream swells,” said Dhan Maya Subba, another resident.
“The problem becomes worse when we have to take sick people to hospitals. Vehicles cannot go beyond the stream in absence of a motorable bridge,” said Beena Subba, who is also a resident.
“Why we need a motorable bridge is that all of us don’t own bolero pick-up trucks or bigger vehicles. It is very difficult and risky for small vehicles to cross the stream. For those driving small vehicles, they have to walk on foot and leave their vehicles parked cars on the other side of the stream, especially during summers,” said Lok Bdr. Rai, a driver.
According to the Pungtenchhu Gup, officials from the Tsirang District Administration had visited the site and carried out a feasibility study to construct a small concrete bridge over the stream. However, it was found that constructing a small bridge was not feasible. The Gup added that constructing a bigger bridge could not be materialized due to budget constraint. However, the Gup assured that the gewog administration will construct a temporary bridge again before the onset of the monsoon.
However, the issue is likely to be addressed. During a recently held common forum at the Pungtenchu Gewog, both BTP and PDP candidates representing Sergithang-Tsirang Toed Constituency have promised a motorable bridge over the Burichhu.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Phub Gyem
