For months, Gasa Dzongkhag remained cut from the rest of the Dzongkhags after a major landslide in June damaged road, irrigation canal and water supply among other infrastructures. But, much to the relief of the people living in the Dzongkhag, restoration works are being carried out and the road will soon be open to traffic.
But many people living in Lower Gasa are affected because of the damaged irrigation canal and water supply.
The National Council representative of Gasa, MP Sangay Khandu, said the damages will directly affect four chiwogs of Lower Gasa. “If it is not restored on time, the farmers won’t be able to cultivate paddy on time next year.” He said the agriculture ministry has assured they are looking into the matter and they have already begun putting in place and squeezing funds for the reconstruction of the irrigation channel. “This is the priority for us right now.”
MP Sangay Khandu also said the flow of traffic would resume soon. “One of the bigger bridges- the Phuntshogang Bridge is now more or less completed.” He said people from Department of Roads have finished laying down the steel frame of the bridge. He said they are in the process of laying the floor. “That part of the construction should complete within a day or two.”
The MP added that Bhutan Power Corporation had already tendered the stringing of new transmission lines from Punakha. He said it would at least take another two months for the electricity to reach Gasa. Until then the civil servants will have to work on generators.
The assessment report on the damages was submitted by the Dzongkhag Administration a month ago. The total cost for the restoration works is expected come up to Nu. 3.6 million.
