The water shortage facing the residents of South Thimphu for years will soon come to an end. The Thimphu Thrompon during BCCI’s business consultation meeting held last month announced plans to address the long-standing water shortage issues in the area. The Thrompon confirmed ongoing efforts to resolve water challenges in areas such as Olakha, Babesa, Serbithang, and Debsi. While the timeline for the completion of the water project remains uncertain, Thrompon assured that comprehensive plans are in place to tackle the issue effectively.
Water shortage, especially in the southern parts of Thimphu town has been a persisting issue for years now.
“We get a lot of walk-in guests. We also have a lodge but we couldn’t give lodge service to customers. We run a restaurant and we can’t do the dishes or keep the bathrooms clean,” said Sarita Chhetri, a restaurant staff in Babesa, Thimphu.
“We run our business for the customers. But when we don’t have water, some of them get frustrated and leave. And since we are a business and I am a supervisor, I have to always worry,” said Prakash Rai, also a restaurant staff.
“When we don’t have water, we have to close the restaurant. We can’t even clean our restaurant,” said Hema Devi, a restaurateur.
“It’s been around two months since we’ve been facing water problems. Before, there used to be water but not anymore. We used to get water from 8 pm and now we don’t even get that,” said Gyeltshen, a resident of Babesa.
“It has been about two and a half years since they placed a water metre here. We thought that we would surely get water then. But there is no water in the pipes. We share a water source with the Throm so we don’t get enough water. The shortage becomes severe during the rainy season. Everyone is forced to collect water in buckets. We heard some households even buy mineral water to cook and some are forced to eat at restaurants because of the shortage of water,” said Tshering Dorji, Water Tshogpa, Chubogang.
Thimphu Thrompon acknowledged the disparity in access to water between the South and North Thimphu, citing successful improvements in areas like Taba and Hejo.
To address the water woes in South Thimphu, Thimphu Thrompon, Ugyen Dorji, outlined strategic plans, including the development of a new water source at Yoeselpang and the installation of bore wells in Babesa and Debsi.
These initiatives intend to ensure a more reliable and sustainable water supply for the affected communities.
“If those two bore wells can distribute water to the lower parts of Babesa and Debsi, the water sources at Chamgang and RTC can supply water to the upper parts of Babesa and Simtokha. As for Olakha, the new water source at Yoeselpang is almost complete, so that can distribute water to Olakha.”
He added that currently the Thromde is challenged with budget constraints in its efforts to solve water issues.
“If we replace all the water pipes in the Thromde, it will cost more than Nu 300 M which is the total annual budget the Thromde receives to execute all the activities in the Thromde.”
The Thrompon said that the new water source at Yoeselpang is expected to be completed within the coming month or two. Furthermore, the Thrompon has assured that the thromde will work on its subsequent plans to improve water distribution in other areas of South Thimphu.
Karma Samten Wangda & Tsheyang Tshogyal
Edited by Phub Gyem
