No vehicles are allowed to ply over the Deosiri bridge in Assam, India following heavy rainfall on Saturday. The rainfall has damaged the bridge further. Earlier, only light vehicles were allowed to ply after cracks developed on the bridge. Bhutanese travelling to and from Gelegphu have to use the bridge.
This has led to an increase in the price of goods in Gelegphu as it has to be brought via Thimphu increasing the transportation costs. However, some shops, who still have old stocks, are selling at the same rate.
The Food Corporation of Bhutan is still selling goods at the same rate even though the goods are brought via Thimphu. “For the benefit of public and the people we have not increased the price so far. So any essential food commodities are available in Tsirang, Dagapela, Sarpang and Gelephu at the same price and public should not panic. However, if the condition does not improve, if it stays for a year we might have to think,” said the Regional Manager, Ugyen Choidup.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement and DANTAK are discussing to address the problem. However, it is not known when the problem will be solved.
Meanwhile, the 1500 hours strike in Assam called by the United Democratic People’s Front has been lifted from today. The strike was called on August 5 but this time commuters and business people in Gelegphu were not really affected by the strike as the Assam route is inaccessible anyways due to the damaged bridge.
