Nima | Gelephu

The movement in the gewog zones is restricted and the majority of the construction activities in Sarpang are on halt since the start of the second nationwide lockdown.

The dzongkhag Covid-19 task force mandated that gewog administrations allow construction and CSI activities after conducting the required assessment for containment measures.

However, most construction activities have been stopped for the lack of proper containment measures.

Construction works involve the movement of workers from home to workplaces.

Dekiling Mangmi, Devi Bhakta Ghallay, said allowing construction activities was risky. “We will keep the people informed about new developments concerning lockdown.”

Chuzangang gup Sangay Tshering said it was important to secure the community, as more number of cases was reported from other dzongkhags daily. “There are many people who came from other dzongkhags. They tested negative so far but we would be sure only after three weeks.”

He said that many ongoing construction activities were discontinued. “It’s not convenient but right now the more important task is to contain the spread of the virus. We are making people aware of it.”

One of the major construction works, repairing irrigation channels at Taklai in Chuzangang, has been temporarily stopped, which has caused shortage of irrigation water.

A farmer from Norbuling said that the maintenance of the irrigation was expected to take almost three months. The irrigation channel caters to the farmers of Norbuling, Tashiphu, Chuzangang, and Pemaling who are into the backyard and commercial vegetable farming.

Singye gewog administration has allowed only one of the four construction activities to continue during the lockdown.

“We allowed only those activities that could work in containment mode. Other construction works involved the movement of workers and vehicles to get the construction materials,” said Singye gup, Lachu Man Rai.

The movement of people across gewogs in Sarpang is limited to emergency travels, health check-ups, cattle rearing, and to buy essential items, among others during the lockdown.

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