The villagers of Tangsibji chiwog in Trongsa will no longer have to struggle for irrigation water, unlike the past few years. The irrigation channel was damaged due to the debris from the construction of the dump yard of the Adit-3 tunnel of the Nikahchhu Hydropower Project a few years ago. With the season for paddy transplantation right at the door, farmers are elated as the restoration works of the irrigation channel are complete.
Otherwise, the villagers struggle with constant maintenance of water pipes which were used as a temporary measure after the channel was damaged.
The Adit-3 lies above the irrigation channel. After it was damaged, the project provided the farmers with some funds and the community executed the restoration works.
“Sometimes water, which comes down this canal, is dirty. The water comes mixed with lubricants from the project site. So it wasn’t safe even for cattle to drink. We had been feeding water to cattle from the water tape then,” added Sangay Lham, another farmer.
Chimmi Dorji also said, “One of the main sources of water for Tangsibji village is this irrigation canal. So from this year on, there will be no problem for us during the paddy transplantation.”
“We also have a Mini-Hydro plant benefiting 13 households since 1985. It is also put on halt after the water couldn’t run through this irrigation channel,” said Gyembo Dorji, Tangsibji Gup.
The Nikahchhu Hydropower Project provided Nu 600,000 for the restoration works. The project officials said they are ready to support the community in any form if the works at the project causes damage.
About 200 acres of land belonging to 115 households use the irrigation water for agricultural works.
Passang, Trongsa
