Locals of Kuenga Rabten under Draagteng gewog in Trongsa are living in fear and worried about their properties with cracks appearing in the walls and pillars of their homes. They allege that it is caused by the Mangdechhu Hydropower Plant’s (MHP) tunnel, which runs beneath their village.
They request concern authorities to attend to the problem at the earliest before more damage is caused and make the necessary arrangements to avoid threats to the lives and properties in future.
The locals say, unnoticeably the cracks are increasing a little. They are very worried now. The locals doubt that their properties might be lost to monsoon if the problem is left unattended on time.
For now, there are about thirteen houses with significant damages which could be seen.
“There are some houses where the cracks are noticeable now though it wasn’t there before,” said Kuenzang Dorji, the Draagteng Gup in Trongsa.
“In case if the concern could maintain the affected homes with concretes and install rod pillars, then we could sleep well. Otherwise being at home with families is really worrisome when the cracks are seen increasing daily,” added Jamyang Tenzin, from Kuenga Rabten.
The locals allege that apart from the houses, the land above the tunnels are also affected.
“The land looks as if sinking as some of the areas are seen submerging. The cracks run through the walls and pillars of the houses,” said Wangdi, from Kuenga Rabten.
“The cracks are also seen on the roads. Even if we shift at that area we are worried now. Also, we have shifted from our two-storied house as we noticed more cracks,” added Yeshey Choden, the Principal of Kuenga Rabten Nunnery.
However the Mangdechu Hydropower Plant denies the allegation, stating that the headrace tunnel is intact with the flow of water and is passing nearly half a kilometre below.
They added that the joint reports of the independent group of experts from Economic Affairs ministry with the district and the project suggested to continuously monitor with the immediate rectification for the community’s safety.
Meanwhile, the project has already approved the budget for executing the works for the renovation. The Project also said the situation will be monitored timely hereafter and updated on time.
Passang, Trongsa
