Loten Zangmo

The new bridge that connects Changjiji to the Expressway was completed almost after 13 months.

The Dash Group Construction handed over 29-metre Bazam to the Thimphu Thromde in March this year.

Thimphu Thromde had to close the old bridge in June 2018 for the safety of the commuters.

The officials said that the construction of the bridge was supposed to open by the academic year 2019 but it was suspended as the work and human settlement ministry released the bridge design only in 2019.

Thromde’s engineer, Jangchu Choden, said the construction of the bridge was delayed as the Bazam required a steel frame of 13.8m and due to non-availability of timber and limited capacity of seasoning chamber.

She said: “More over, the project has also suffered delays due to Covid-19 and the two nationwide lockdowns. Other factors were budget constraints and the risk to workers from the swollen monsoon river.”

An official said that the design of the bridge had traditional touch and look for reasons more than aesthetic grandeur.

Residents of Changjiji said that the new bridge helped the commuters and students of Changzamtog and Loselling. It cuts the distance by almost 15 minutes.

However, some residents complain that tiles of the bridge are already beginning to come off.

Meanwhile, the contractor with Dash Group Construction, Jigme Namgyal, said that the problem would be fixed.

The budget for the contract was Nu 9.4 million (M) which shot up to Nu 12.5 million.