Trashigang dzongkhag administration awarded the work to remove muck and debris left by the recent flash flood in the town to a private contractor on July 26.
Given the limited number of machinery and other resources, the dzongkhag administration decided to outsource the work to local contractors with adequate number of men and machine at their disposal.
Trashigang dzongdag, Chekey Gyeltshen, said a large amount of muck and debris on either side of the flood protection wall had to be removed at the earliest including the clearing works on the canal. “This is a big task and the dzongkhag office does not have the resources to carry out the work on its own.”
He said that with monsoon picking up, there are possibilities that small landslides could inflict major damage to the town and residents if the canal is not cleaned at the earliest. “We are doing this so that the works are completed faster.”
The 396m reinforced cement concrete (RCC) flood protection wall remains covered in debris and boulders today. The wall is about 4.5m deep and about 8.7m wide.
Clearing of the muck on one side of the wall began on July 23. Until yesterday about 200m of muck has been cleared. “We could work with only one machine alongside the wall since there is no space for more,” the dzongdag said.
The overall cost for the clearing works is estimated to be about Nu 1.5M. Of the total estimate, Nu 194,875 has been used until yesterday.
“We do not have the budget for this work. We are requesting the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) to provide us with the budget,” the dzongdag said.
It was also learnt that during the visit of the works and human settlement minister, Dorji Choden on July 25, the minister extended her support to help seek fund from DDM.
The dzongkhag tender committee (DTC) on July 26 called a spot quotation among seven contractors who are also the residents of the town. The work went to the lowest bidder who had proposed the remaining works at Nu 1.2M.
Remaining works include the removal of muck on either side of the wall, removal of boulders and debris from the canal without damaging the riverbed and the walls. No restoration works would be included in the quoted bid.
For the safety of the residents living nearby, the contractor is not allowed to use hydraulic breakers and large dynamites to break the boulders.
The works will begin next month and will be completed within two months.
Meanwhile, the water level of the Mithimdrang stream has increased following a heavy downpour on July 26.
The flash flood triggered by a cloudburst from Rangshikhar on July 22 is one of the major disasters that have hit the town in the recent years according to the locals.
The flood lasted for more than an hour.
Younten Tshedup | Trashigang