Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar

Residents of  Thromde Toed constituency in Samdrupjongkhar thromde can enjoy an uninterrupted drinking water supply after years of acute shortage with the completion of a new project.

The de-suung national service water project that started on June 7 was completed and handed over to the thromde administration on September 8. About 60 de-suups, army and thromde officials executed the project.

Today, residents do not receive enough water from thromde’s water treatment plant and old gravity line at Pinchina, about four kilometres away from the town, because of the old and leaking pipes.

A new 200-bed quarantine facility at Phuntsho Rabtenling industrial park

Residents said since they face water problems frequently, they had to stand in a queue for more than an hour to fetch water from a pond near the industrial area. “It was challenging for us to fetch water even from the pond.”

“We have water problems, and we didn’t receive water at all last time. The problems worsen in the monsoon because water pipes get washed away frequently. However, the water project is expected to solve the matter and benefit us,” said Ugyen Lhamo, a resident.

Another resident, Kinzang Lhaden, 52, said although the thromde tankers supply water, they still have to fetch water from the pond and well because they cannot use water provided by the tanker for cooking and drinking. “We are thankful for the water project.”

With a total budget of Nu 3.343 million, the project constructed 120 cubic metres of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) tank and about 1,500 metres of distribution line. The project would benefit more than 1,500 populations of Tinkilo.

The project aims to help the community provide safe and reliable drinking water and impart new skills and practical knowledge in water management infrastructure to de-suups.

Meanwhile, a 200-bed quarantine facility at Phuntsho Rabtenling industrial park (Motanga) was handed over to the dzongkhag administration on September 8.

About 92 army personnel, 89 de-suups and 51 skilled labourers were involved in the project and completed it within a month. The business community and private sector from the eastern region also supported the project through the monetary contributions.

The eastern Covid-19 task force’s (EC-19TF) chairman, Dasho Pema Chewang, said that since the quarantine facility was to cater for foreign workers, it would be used once the import of the foreign workers was allowed.

He said that it is also to quarantine those coming from other countries because they pose higher-risk due to more exposure. The quarantine facility is expected to benefit the private sector as they have been facing challenges in hiring workers.

The dzongkhag Covid-19 task force is waiting for the national task force (NTF) to approve the charges and regulations of the facility. “The facility would also address the shortage of the quarantine facility.”

“Since it is an interim measure, we are also planning to construct about a 500-bed permanent quarantine facility soon,” Dasho Pema Chewang said.

Edited by Tshering Palden