People of Tareythang and Umling Gewogs in Sarpang want a permanent motorable bridge constructed over Panchbari River. A causeway bridge constructed last year was washed away during the monsoon. The bridge connects the Gewogs to Gelephu town.
With the river shrunk these days, people are able to cross it in their cars while visiting Gelephu town. People visiting Umling Gewog and Umling Dungkhag office also use the same road. They are now worried of the upcoming monsoon in the absence of a motorable bridge over the river. The river swells multiple times its size during summer.
Pema Rangdol, a resident of Umling Gewog says they have difficulties crossing the river during the summer. “I don’t know how the situation would be this summer. We hope to see a bridge constructed very soon.”
Another resident, Dawa Tamang, who lives in Tareythang says if a new bridge is not constructed before the monsoon, they would encounter problems yet again.
The Chief Engineer of the Department of Surface Transport in Sarpang said they are planning to build a Reinforced Cement Concrete bridge over the river. Nu 25 M has been approved for the project. Designing works are being carried out currently.
In the meantime, the department is going to construct a new causeway bridge to keep the traffic flowing over the monsoon season.
Save for the bridge, the residents otherwise enjoy a smooth ride with the 37-kilometer Serzhong to Tareythang Gewog Centre road recently improved and blacktopped.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
Edited by Kipchu
