Chortens or stupas in the country are often situated in locations like river junctions, highways, mountain passes and bridges among others to ward off evil. One such is Drimed Namnyi Chorten at Tamala pass along the Zhemgang-Gelephu highway. More than a year behind its construction schedule, volunteers who contributed to its construction are questioning its delay.
Located at an elevation of nearly 1,900 meters above sea level, Drimed Namnyi Chorten is being constructed alongside an old Tamala Chorten. But the construction is not even 20 per cent complete. A local contractor began the construction in 2020 and was scheduled to complete it by the end of last year.
“I think it would take another five to six years to complete. We were told that it would be completed within a year but we do not see any progress,” said Sonam Phuntsho, a resident of Tama.
“I do not understand what’s delaying the construction. A lot of us contributed to its construction and even from the government’s side as well. I don’t know who is to be blamed for this delay?” said Tashi Phuntsho, another resident.
“We hardly see contractors and workers at the site. We don’t know where it is going wrong. The progress has been slow,” said Pema Dorji, another resident.
However, the Project Management Unit of Chorten construction has asked the contractor to complete the construction within six months in June this year. The management unit will terminate his contract if he fails to complete the construction on time.
Meanwhile, the contractor said that frequent lockdowns hampered the construction works.
The project is estimated to cost about Nu 4 M. The fund was mobilised through voluntary contributions from the civil servants, the business community and regional offices within Zhemgang and other well-wishers.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
Edited by Sonam Pem
