The construction of the six-unit Dungkar Primary School and the three-unit Dungkar Primary Health Centre at Kurtoed Gewog in Lhuentse is gradually gaining momentum. The relocation of the structures which started towards the end of 2020 got delayed due to the pandemic. The structures are being moved to different locations from Nagtshang which is being developed into a museum.
Currently, Dungkar Primary School and Dungkar Primary Health Centre are located near Jigme Namgyal Nagtshang in Kurtoed Gewog.
The four-storied traditional structure is undergoing a major revamp as it is being converted into a historically rich museum with a plan to expand in the future. As such, the school along with the health facility is reconstructed at Dukpuling and Rabung.
“We have to relocate the school and health centre due to space congestion. Moreover, the structures lie next to the Jigme Namgyal Nagtshang which needs space for development,” said Wangchen Norbu, Sr. Dzongrab of Lhuentse.
Therefore, we are relocating both the school and the health facility to a different location which is only about a kilometre from the current location. So far, about 50 per cent of the construction works have been completed,” he added.
The construction of the three-unit Primary Health Centre was supposed to complete by June this year.
However, considering the delay posed by the pandemic, the contractor was given a contract extension until December this year. The health centre is being constructed at the cost of over Nu 28 M.
Similarly, the construction of the six-unit new Dungkar Primary School which was supposed to complete by December is also extended until June next year. The school is being reconstructed at a cost of more than Nu 63 M.
“It is a good decision by the district administration to relocate the school and the health centre which are located right above Nagtshang,” said Tshewang Rinzin, a resident of Kurtoed Gewog.
“The new school has a football ground which the current location doesn’t have. Also, the new two-storied hospital is being constructed with separate kitchens and wards. And it is also located nearby the gewog office. So, we are hopeful that the new hospital will benefit the public,” said Ugyen Palden, Kurtoed Mangmi.
Once complete, the new health centre is expected to address the issue of the cramped space the existing facility is facing. Moreover, it will also start offering traditional medicine services to the public.
Likewise, the opening of the new school will have better amenities including hostels, classrooms and sports facilities for the school-going children in Kurtoed Gewog.
Sonam Tshering, Lhuentse
Edited by Phub Gyem
