Staff reporter  

More than a year after the newly constructed bridge collapsed on the Damchu-Haa road, a new bailey bridge was inaugurated yesterday.

Works to build a new bridge over the river began in October last year.

Work and Human Settlement Minister (Zhabtog Lyonpo) Dorji Tshering inaugurated the 60-metre bailey bridge that replaced the 204-metre-long reinforced cement concrete (RCC) bridge. The RCC bridge collapsed on February 9 when it was about to be inaugurated, killing nine Indian labourers.




Construction of the RCC bridge along the 12km Damchu-Haa link road over Wangchu started in January 2017. The bridge joins Chuzom-Haa road at Wanakha, Paro.

Officials from the local government, Project DANTAK, the Department of Roads and the Members of Parliament of Haa attended the inauguration ceremony.

The 200 feet bailey bridge with a loading capacity of 30R was constructed by Project DANTAK with technical support from the DoR.

The travel distance between Haa and Phuentsholing will be reduced by about 29km.