Residents of Serzhong, Tareythang, Umling and Chhuzanggang Gewogs in Sarpang are worried about the damaged bridge over Barshong river. They are concerned with the danger posed by the damaged wing wall of the bridge.
The wing wall was damaged by the swelling river in the summer and still remains unrepaired.
Thaewar bridge is the lifeline for residents of the four gewogs. The bridge connects the gewogs to Gelegphu town and the rest of the country. Locals say driving over the bridge has become worrying. The bridge sustained damages last summer when the swelling river damaged the wing wall at one of the ends. However, they claim no repair works were carried out.
“Driving small vehicles over the bridge is okay for now. But it is the orange season right now and soon it will be time to harvest areca nuts, so it is quite risky for the heavy vehicles. We hope repair works will be carried out soon,” said Norbu, from Serzhong Gewog in Sarpang.
Meanwhile, the Regional Road office in Sarpang says they could not carry out immediate maintenance works due to the monsoon season and the swollen river. He says maintenance works will be carried out this winter. He added feasibility studies are currently being carried out by experts at the damaged site.
“Our regional office visited the site for inspection to carry out the restoration works but due to the swollen river, we could not carry out the works. However, we carried out some temporary adjustments. But we are aware of the issue and it will be solved soon,” said B Mongar, the Executive Engineer for Department of Roads in Sarpang.
Thaewar bridge was constructed in 2014 and is 15 kilometres aways from Gelegphu town.
Karma Wangdi
