The bridges that have limited load-carrying capacity have been a challenge to developmental activities across the country. To assist the growing need for bridges with higher load-bearing capacity, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and Project DANTAK will build double–lane modular steel bridges, henceforth. Two such bridges, the first of its kind in the country, were inaugurated in Haa yesterday.
The double–lane modular steel bridges are an upgrade to the conventional bailey bridges. It has a higher load-bearing capacity, a longer lifespan and can even withstand earthquakes.
The two bridges in Haa at Tshaphey and Kana were completed in July. Both bridges have a length of 18 metres and a breadth of 7.5 metres with a carrying capacity of 70 metric tonnes.
“The bottleneck is the carrying capacity of the bailey bridges. Because there is a bottleneck in the bridge we had to control the carrying capacity of the trucks. We have controlled what types of trucks should travel along the highways. So, this is not at all a good sign for our better economy and not a good indication that our country will develop,” said Dorji Tshering, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.
The Infrastructure and Transport Ministry and Project DANTAK will construct such modular bridges in the future.
“From now on we will start building this kind of bridge in the country. It is not only the Project DANTAK but the Department of Surface Transport that is also planning to incorporate such bridges in its plans,” said Lyonpo Dorji Tshering.
“If you recollect Honourable Lyonpo sometime back, he has already gone on record and briefed the Parliament that modular bridges are the way ahead. And the Kuri-Gongri bridge, which has to be replaced, most probably the Department of Surface Transport will be using this technology there. In addition, in the east, just about four and a half kilometres from Nganglam, on the road that was entrusted to us, to connect Nganglam to Dewathang on that road we have planned one bridge, which hopefully will be complete by March next year,” said Brigadier Jaswinder Singh, the Chief Engineer of Project DANTAK.
Truckers who frequent the Haa-Chhuzom highway received the new bridges with much relief.
“Before, we were not allowed to ply on small bridges since the bridges cannot bear the load. We often took detours where our trucks got stuck with loads. With bridges like this, we can take whatever load we want,” said Namgay Dorji.
The Government of India funded the 70-million-ngultrum budget to construct the two bridges in Tshaphey and Kana.
Namgay Wangchuk
Edited by Sherub Dorji
