Neten Dorji

Pemagatshel— For residents of the villages of Khangma, Yurung, and Lanangzor in Pemagatshel, the construction of three bridges at various locations along Bokpeeree would bring transformative change.

Each summer, swelling rivers cut these communities off from the rest of Pemagatshel, posing significant challenges for the community.

Villagers have been using a suspension bridge to connect with other areas, but it is not usable.

“Access to market and transporting construction materials is a big challenge,” said a villager, Karma Tashi. “The bridge connects the people of three gewogs with the rest of the dzongkhag”

Another villager, Zangjay Norbu, said that although there is a farm road, it becomes perilous when transporting goods across the streams. “Having a road doesn’t serve its purpose without a bridge. We are in desperate need of a proper crossing.”

Namgay Yuden said that without a permanent bridge, the village remains cut off from other villages, especially during the summer. “Whenever we have community meetings, we raise the need for bridges, but we do not understand why we are not being provided with bridges.”

Tshewang Sonam from Lanangzor said the Yurung, Chimong, and Chongshing gewogs would all benefit from new bridges. “Life is increasingly difficult as we have to cross three major streams to reach Pemagatshel and other dzongkhags. It is disheartening to be neglected and deprived of economic opportunities during summer months.”

Chimi Wangmo, a mother, shared the challenges of transporting patients during emergencies due to the lack of bridges across the river. “When the ambulance cannot cross the stream, we are left stranded, especially in the summer, when the temporary bridge is often washed away.”

Despite numerous requests to the dzongkhag and gewog administrations, there has been little response regarding the bridge construction. “Every election cycle, political parties promise us bridges,” a villager said. “Yet, those promises vanish after the votes are cast.”

Frustration runs deep among residents, particularly farmers. “When we approach Members of Parliament, they claim they lack budget power because they are in opposition,” said one villager.

Yurung Gup Sangay Thinley recounted the challenges of building a concrete bridge over Bokpeeree, stating that it has been washed away by swollen streams multiple times.

“The gewog administration has struggled to construct a permanent bridge due to limited block grants,” he said. “Having a bailey bridge would be of immense benefit”

The gewog has spent a huge amount on the construction of the temporary bridge.

The Pemagatshel dzongkhag administration had proposed a budget for the construction of the bridge but the allocated budget was deducted from the planned activities after the Department of Surface Transport (DOST) took over gewog centre roads.

Local residents are now hopeful that DoST will build the bridge, fulfilling their long standing wish.