Yangyel Lhaden 

Come April, three villages in Mewang gewog, Thimphu, will have adequate water to drink after the De-Suung National Service Water Project (NSWP)  that was launched yesterday for Gida-Jamdo is completed.

It is expected to benefit 96 households and 919 people in three villages: Gidaphu, Jamdo wom, and Jamdo in Mewang gewog.

A resident in Mewang gewog said that with only one source for the three villages, the water shortage was felt especially during paddy cultivation. “The present water source is shared with four mining companies in Gidaphu.”

The villagers have built reservoir tanks and have to take turns to fill the tanks, but the water is not enough, a resident said.

The new water source is at a place called Jadingkha which is about 15 kilometres away from the villages.

A total of 50 de-suups, 25 of whom are women, will execute the project. They are currently camped at Gidakom.

Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering and Works and Human Settlement Minister Dorji Tshering attended the salhang tendrel yesterday.

Talking to de-suups who will work on the project, Lyonchhen said that since business as usual was not adequate, owing to the pandemic, Bhutan needed societal transformation which he was sure would come from de-suups.

“De-suups are not only serving in various national service projects and fulfilling His Majesty’s aspirations, but also equipping themselves with skills which will enhance their lives,” he said.

Lyonchhen said that he believed that the success of the de-suung programmes was what gave confidence to His Majesty for the Gyalsung project.

The estimated cost of the project is Nu 6.57millon and is expected to be completed within four months.

De-Suung NSWP has completed 19 projects: 15 drinking water, one irrigation water, and three integrated projects. Twelve more are ongoing.