Tshering Namgyal  | Mongar

A bailey bridge over Kurichhu river at Dorjilung, commonly known as Rothpashong area, would be built in the next financial year, according to the Department of Roads (DOR) officials.

The chief engineer of DoR regional office in Lingmethang, Mongar, Kinzang Dorji said the parts for the bridge would be supplied by Punatshangchu. However, the budget for the construction of abutment and wall would be proposed in the next financial year due to inadequate budget for this financial year.

“Even zhabtog lyonpo during his recent visit has agreed and the bridge is confirmed,” Kinzang Dorji said.

However, the chief engineer said DoR officials are yet to confirm the exact location of the bridge. According to the old survey and design, the site had been confirmed as the area near the existing suspension bridge.

However, DoR officials are planning to shift the location a kilometer upstream towards Lhuentse to avoid the landslide-prone area which often blacked the highway in summer.

The chief engineer shared the status of the bridge at the recent dzongkhag tshogdu that ended last week.

Tsamang Gup Sonam Dargay said that the road from Banjar via Pam in Tsamang gewog was connected in the financial year 2018-19 and following which the survey for the bailey bridge was conducted by the regional DOR office, dzongkhag engineering sector, and the gewog administration jointly.

However, he said there was no progress on the bridge.

Kinzang Dorji also explained the progress of road widening between Phrumsengla and Yongkola, and the plan to widen and improve the Yongkola to Dorjilung bypass highway.

Of the five contract packages on the Phrumsengla-Yongkola stretch, he said three were awarded and tender for one has been floated. The last package would also be tendered out soon, the chief engineer said.

While the widening work on this stretch is expected to complete by 2023, Kinzang Dorji said the road from Yongkola to Dorjilung would be widened simultaneously as the zhabtog lyonpo has agreed to propose its budget in the next financial year.

Once the bridge completes travelling distance between Lhuentse and Thimphu is expected to be shortened by more than 32 kilometers. The road will not pass through Gangola junction in Mongar while the people of Tsamang travelling to Mongar town or Lhuentse will enjoy similar benefits.

Edited by Tshering Palden