In Trashi Yangtse, the Tsherzam Bailey Bridge which connects Yangtse town and Bumdeling Gewog is in dire need of maintenance. The bridge’s wooden deck has numerous holes. Commuters say the damaged and rotted planks are making it risky to travel on the bridge.
Built approximately two decades ago, the bridge is in need of maintenance today. The wooden deck of the bridge has holes, and many of the planks have rotted.
Heavy vehicles working for the Rigsum Goenpa renovation project also use the bridge.
According to some residents, it is risky to travel across the bridge, especially for children and elderly people, as they might get stuck in between the broken wooden planks.
“The bridge is old. When it gets damaged or if we don’t have this bridge, we will face difficulty as it connects Bumdeling. It has become risky even for light vehicles to travel. They have changed the planks in between,” said Jigme Phuntsho, a commuter.
“The planks of the bridge have rotted and it is risky for children and elderly people,” said Kinzangla, another commuter.
Meanwhile, the district administration has plans to repair the bridge by the end of this month. According to the officiating district engineer, they will carry out maintenance including the replacement of the old wooden planks.
“We had the plan. But there are two GSB works in Bumdeling for which heavy vehicles use the bridge. However, now we will blacktop the road in the town and will be laying the Granular-Sub base and blacktop the bridge. It will be carried out in a week,” said Nima Wangdi, Officiating District Engineer.
He added that they replace the planks every two years as part of maintenance.
Ngawang Tenzin, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Tshering Zam
