Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar

The de-suung water project started yesterday at Langchenphu in Jomotsangkha, Samdrupjongkhar, and residents there who faced a water shortage will soon have reliable drinking water.

About 140 de-suups are working in collaboration with the dzongkhag, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests are providing technical support.

The project is a part of a De-Suung National Service initiative and will benefit more than 136 households of Langchenphu Toed, Langchenphu Maed, and Dawathang villages.

De-suups will source the water from Chhukarpo.

With a total budget of Nu 42.76 million, the project will connect water through a 5.3-kilometre (km) mainline of 225mm high-density polyethene pipes (HDPE), 1.3km of distribution lines and 1.2km of open canals for irrigation.

Residents are happy with the project’s inauguration.

They said they will finally have reliable drinking water. They also said water shortages cause disputes among them.

Residents said that although the drungkhag and gewog administration carry out maintenance work, water shortages are still a problem.

They said that those who have vehicles fetch water from the rivers nearby, but it’s challenging for those who don’t have cars.

A resident said that since it is very difficult to do household chores, prepare meals, do laundry, and clean rooms, he fetches water in his vehicle. “It has been extremely challenging. We are happy that we will get reliable drinking water soon.”

Meanwhile, the project is expected to be completed in six months.

The De-Suung head office in Thimphu, in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, started the water flagship programme under the De-Suung National Service.

Edited by Tashi Dema