Replacing the old bridge over the Telegangchhu, the new 42-metre long bridge was opened to traffic since early December. Di Nippon Company (DNC), a Japanese bridge construction company, constructed the bridge along the Trongsa-Zhemgang highway, within a kilometre drive towards Zhemgang from Trongsa town. However, the official inauguration of the bridge was delayed due to the lockdown.
The construction began in 2018 employing workers from within the country. And the Department of Roads office took over the bridge in the second week of December last year, which was a way before the deadline by a couple of months.
The DNC also constructed three similar bridges at Sephu-Chagzam and Chuzomsa in Wangduephodrang and Zalamchhu Bridge at Tangsibji Gewog in Trongsa.
And including the Bjeezam bridge, the latest in Telegangchhu is the third bridge in Trongsa to be constructed with Japan’s aid aimed to improve the performance and safety of those bridges, ensuring stable transportation and thereby stimulating the local economies and improving the livelihood of the residents.
The Japanese government signed an agreement with the Royal Government of Bhutan in 2016 to provide grant aid for replacing bridges along the Primary National highways in the country.
The official inauguration was set for December 26 last year, however, Roads Office in Trongsa deferred it by almost a month due to the nationwide lockdown.
Passang, Trongsa