A motorable bridge over Kurichhu has been on the priority list of the people of Tsamang Gewog in Monggar for some time now. Having one would shorter the distance between the gewog and the district headquarters. It will also connect Tsamang with the neighbouring districts of Lhuentse saving time and distance.
Residents have to leave their vehicles on the other side of Kurichhu at Dorjiloong and walk the old path for hours to reach Banjaar chiwog of Tsamang Gewog. They have to take the route to save themselves from the trouble of driving via a longer road – to Gangola and then crossing the Kurizam.
“Besides visiting relatives in times of need, we have to go to the gewog centre for meetings. At times, we are late. So, a motorable bridge at Dorjiloong will solve our problems,” said Yeshi Gyeltshen, from Tsamang Gewog.
Without a bridge, the farm roads of Banjaar and Tokari remain underutilized. They were constructed three years ago.
“Without a motorable bridge, both the farm roads are covered in bushes. It would take almost two hours to reach Tsamang from Dorjiloong. Having a motorable bridge at Dorjiloong would benefit the people of Tsamang Gewog and Lhuentse Dzongkhag as well,” said Phuntsho Namgyel, a driver from Tsamang Gewog.
“The gewog constructed farm roads but they are not utilized without a motorable bridge. We can reserve vehicles and travel if there is a bridge,” said another resident.
“Since the government also promised to construct a motorable bridge, the public is hopeful of getting a bridge. If a bridge is constructed at Dorjiloong, the distance between the gewog and the district headquarters would be shorter by almost 36 kilometres,” said Sonam Dargay, the Tsamang Gup.
At the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, the chief engineer from the regional office of the roads department said the office will construct a bridge next year.
“The works and human settlement minister told me that the construction of a motorable bridge and maintenance of the farm roads as a bypass will start by next year. It is on hold right now due to the pandemic. The Punatshangchhu Hydropower Project has agreed to provide the raw materials to construct the bridge. We can bring them any time,” said Kinzang Dorji, the Chief Engineer of the DoR in Monggar.
However, the location of the bridge is yet to be finalized.
The recently elected Monggar MP Karma Lhamo also promised to construct a bridge over Kurichhu at Dorjiloong during her bye-election campaign.
Sonam Tshering, Monggar
Edited by Phub Gyem
