The Wangdue Phodrang district’s crematorium is in need of basic infrastructure. And the little there is are in dire need of maintenance as an increasing number of people in the district are using the facility with COVID-19 safety protocol restricting the public to travel out of respective districts for cremation. The issue was raised during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
The crematorium is located behind the Wangdue dzong. The road that leads to the crematorium is narrow and has developed potholes. And at the crematorium, there is no proper guesthouse except for a temporary shed the Desuups constructed recently.
Nima, the Secretary of Wandgue Rabdey said the infrastructure needs maintenance with more people using the crematorium now. At least three to four bodies are cremated in a month. “It was fine before the pandemic. But now, people are facing problems due to the lack of a guesthouse at the crematorium. Likewise, the road condition is so bad here. It is not only steep but also filled with potholes. Moreover, the crematorium is not very spacious.”
“The road is so narrow we can’t give side to the vehicle coming from the other direction. Moreover, it is filled with potholes. Small vehicles are getting damaged. Even at the crematorium, it is difficult for people to bear the heat and rain without a proper guesthouse. Likewise, people have to leave their vehicle at the Dratshang parking due to lack of parking space at the crematorium,” said Budha Singh Tamang who works at the Wangdue Dzong Reconstruction Project.
During the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, Wangdue Rabdey proposed relocating the crematorium to Tshochhu Pang near Dangchhu river reasoning that the current location is in a sloppy area.
“The crematorium is situated in a cramped space and also it is located nearby the dzong. Therefore, we have proposed the relocation of the crematorium to the Tshochhu Pang near the Dangchhu river for the convenience of the public in future, and the dzongkhag has also accepted our proposal,” said Nima, Wangdue Rabdey Secretary.
However, the Dzongkhag Tshogdu decided to maintain the crematorium at the current location. The DT also decided to allocate budget for the maintenance works from Thedtsho Gewog Administration as there is no separate budget for the cause in the current financial year. Accordingly, Thedtsho Gewog allocated a budget of Nu 3 M to maintain the road towards the crematorium.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
Edited by Phub Gyem
