Even after the deadline was moved forward twice, the construction of a motorable bridge over Drangmechhu in Panbang under Zhemgang Dzongkhag is still incomplete.
The construction of the bridge, costing Nu.151 million, began in 2010. The Bridge was to be completed by July 2011. But the completion deadline has been pushed to May next year.
Once completed, the Bridge will connect Goshing, Bjoka and Phangkhar gewogs along with a few village of Ngangla gewog with Panbang Dungkhag.
In the absence of a motorable bridge, people and ponies carry mandarin on their back and cross the river with the help of a suspension bridge. Shopkeepers are finding it difficult to transport goods. Dungkhag officials have to walk hours to discharge their duties.
The contractor says the delay in the completion is because of the difficulty in bringing the construction materials. “It has to be brought through the Indian Manas National Park,” he said.
He also said the road from India to Panbang is small which makes transporting huge equipment difficult. The contractor also said several strikes in the Indian state of Assam difficulty in getting Indian construction laborers have hampered the progress.
The Project Manager, Rafiqul Hussain, said they are trying to complete the work as fast as they can.
About 80 percent of the works have been completed so far.
