Usually, at this time of the year, residents of Gelephu Thromde are troubled by a scarcity of drinking water. The town’s two water sources, the Mao River water treatment plant and the Passangchu, dry up in winter. Much to the relief of the residents, the Gelephu Landmark Water Project has resolved the water issue. Residents are today content with a sufficient water supply.
The Gelephu Landmark Water Project which was inaugurated in December last year has been supplying drinking water to over 10 thousand people residing in Gelephu Thromde.
With continuous water supply, businesses especially hotels and restaurants can operate without disruption and people have not faced any challenges in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene.
The people otherwise struggle with water shortages. The water sources dried up without rainfall in winter and water from the Gelephu Thromde’s borewell would become insufficient to cater to all the residents.
Gelephu Thrompon Tshering Norbu said, “The population will keep increasing from now on. The Water Project will benefit around 60,000 people. The water sources from the Mao River water treatment plant, Passangchu and borewell services benefit around 23,000 people.”
Meanwhile, the residents of Gelephu and Samtenling Gewogs who also face water shortages are hoping to benefit from the Gelephu Landmark Water Project.
Karma Yangdon, a resident of Dechhen Pelri in Samtenling Gewog said, “If they provide water from the water project, it will benefit us a lot. We need water for our kitchen garden and even to raise livestock. But right now, we are facing a water shortage.”
“If they provide us with water from the water project, it will resolve our drinking water issue. In Summer, our water pipes get washed away due to flash floods. The pipes get buried under mud. The drinking water then gets very muddy,” said Yeshey Lhadon, a resident of Dechhen Pelri in Samtenling Gewog.
The Gelephu Thrompon says the Thromde Office is also readying to supply water to Gelephu and Samtenling Gewogs. However, the gewog offices have to carry out the laying of the pipelines.
The Gelephu Landmark Water Project was constructed for Nu 375 M.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Sangay Chezom
