Nim Dorji | Trongsa

Dangdung water project, that began in January completed before the dateline, was handed over to Trongsa dzongkhag and Langthel gewog by the Minister of Agriculture and Forests on April 28.

The project was implemented by Desuung in partnership with the Royal Bhutan Army, local government and the works and human settlement ministry.

Five army personnel from RBA and 45 desuups worked for three months building the intake structure, a reservoir of 20,000 litres, 10.5km supply line, and nine water taps at a cost of Nu 2.4 million.

The project was initiated under the Desuung National Service Project to help the community in accessing safe and reliable drinking water.

The project will benefit 57 households and 285 people of Dangdung chiwog.

Lyonpo Yeshey Penjor said that each household was connected with proper drinking water supply without any hardship or labour contribution.

“The drinking water is brought at the doorstep of every household, now the residents should look after it and make it sustainable.”

Desuung Director General Tashi Tobgye said that the first pilot water project was introduced in Guma gewog, Punakha in November last year followed by a project in Semjong in Tsirang.

“The water projects are going well, henceforth four projects will be started in a month,” he said.

Two water projects have been completed and handed to the public. There are eight projects underway across the country.

Langthel Gup Sonam Dhendup said that the project will solve the issue of water shortage in the chiwog.

“We will make sure a group is formed and a bank account opened to save contributions from the households for maintenance ,” he said.

A resident, Yeshey expressed her gratitude to His Majesty The king for providing the community with a sufficient water supply.

“In the past, there was water shortage and we used to drink from the irrigation canals,” she said.

MoWHS Executive Engineer Gyem Tsering said that the aim is to supply water round the clock before the end of the 12the five-year plan.

“MoWHS is working on to form Bhutan Water Agency to look after water issues after the 12th plan,” he said.

Water projects will also be initiated in Gyalpoizhing in Mongar, Lhamoizingkh in Dagana, and Samdrupongkhar, and a rural water supply project in Tashigang next month.