People travelling toward Trashi Yangtse can expect a better travel experience starting this summer. This is because the district has launched two Reinforced Cement Concrete or RCC Girder bridges between Chazam in Trashigang and Trashi Yangtse. Although the construction of the two bridges was completed in August, the formal inaugural was held yesterday.
Commuters between Trashi Yangtse and Trashigang have to cross the Tshergom stream which swells and creates roadblocks during the monsoon. Although no casualties were reported so far, the road gets blocked frequently during monsoon even with slight rainfall. Last year, it reportedly remained blocked for about a week.
So, one of the RCC bridges, which is 30 meters long, was constructed near Tshergom which is about 10 kilometres from Chagzam toward Trashi Yangtse.
“The stream swells suddenly during the rainy season creating roadblocks. I still remember a public bus and a taxi got stuck here for a few days in the past,” said Neten Tshering, a resident.
“These new bridges will benefit us. I used to travel carrying passengers and it used to be risky during the night as we fear that the stream will swell. Even our vehicles used to get damaged while crossing the stream. Now we don’t face any problems and we are happy to have the bridge,” said Norbu, another resident.
And another 40-meter-long RCC bridge was constructed at Doksum.
The construction works of the two bridges began in March 2020 and were supposed to be completed by March this year. However, the work got delayed by a few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kholongchhu project funded the construction of the two bridges costing Nu 54 M.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Phub Gyem