Residents of Logchina Gewog in Chhukha are hopeful once again as construction begins on a new bridge at Chimti. Two years after floods washed away the previous bridge, villagers have had to ford the stream during the dry season when water levels are low.
During winter, the Chimti stream shrinks, allowing vehicles to cross without a bridge. However, with the onset of the monsoon, the swollen stream cuts off the gewog for several days at a time.
Faced with these challenges, the gewog office approached relevant agencies to rebuild the bridge. Although budget constraints delayed the project, construction has now begun.
The bridge will cost more than Nu 21 M and is expected to be completed by May next year.
Logchina Gup Tham Bdr Rai said, “People here depend on agriculture and livestock. Without a bridge, it became very difficult to transport our produce to the market during the summer. Now that construction has started, it will ease our problems. Everyone is excited and happy.”
“There used to be a bridge here in Logchina, and there were no problems. When it was washed away two years ago, it affected not only our gewog but also neighbouring gewogs like Dungna and Maedtekha, as they use this route,” said Amber Singh Tamang, a resident of Logchina Gewog.
The bridge and the connecting road also serve as a vital link people of Dungna, Maedtekha, Geling, and Phuentshogling Gewog.
For the people, the bridge promises safer travel and uninterrupted access, ending years of seasonal isolation.