𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐆𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐢 𝐂𝐡𝐡𝐮 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞

…𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝑼𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝑰𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑨𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑨𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆

By Lhendup Wangmo

Logchina Gewog in Chhukha Dzongkhag, stands as one of the more remote areas in the region. Though connected by a farm road, the monsoon season often brings challenges, as landslides render the route impassable. A vital bridge and the route connecting Logchina serve as a lifeline, linking the community to neighbouring gewogs, including Dungna, Maedtekha, Geling, and a chiwog of Phuentsholing Gewog. Despite these difficulties, Logchina is equipped with essential amenities, including Khateykha Hospital and three schools, one of which is a Middle Secondary School. Recently, the village has also gained access to electricity, enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

The community primarily cultivates cash crops such as mandarin, cardamom, and ginger, with many residents frequently making trips to Phuentsholing for essential goods. Logchina comprises five chiwogs, some of which are as far as a day’s walk from the gewog center, underscoring the challenges and resilience of its inhabitants.

Residents of Logchina Gewog have voiced their frustrations over the prolonged wait for a crucial bridge that has been needed for decades. Gup Tham Bdr Rai stated, “The villagers have been waiting for decades for the bridge to be constructed.” This route is vital not just for Logchina but also for over four neighbouring gewogs, all of which are grappling with significant difficulties due to the lack of proper infrastructure.

The community appreciates the government’s plan, supported by the Small Development Project (SDP), to construct a Bailey bridge at Takti Chhu. “This bridge is a lifeline for our community, essential for improving connectivity, boosting local commerce, and ensuring the safe transportation of goods and people,” said Gup Tham Bdr Rai. However, uncertainty remains regarding the timeline for construction. The residents respectfully appeal to the government to prioritize this project in the first phase, emphasizing its significance for their daily lives and the economic development of the community.

The Takti Chhu Bridge allows villagers to travel in just two hours, making it a much shorter and more efficient route. It has been included in the 13th Five-Year Plan, raising hopes for its eventual construction. The SDP project has taken over the project as part of its second phase, but Gup Tham Bdr Rai reiterated that it remains their top priority.

He added that without this bridge, residents could face helplessness during emergencies and struggle to transport their agricultural produce to market. Despite the urgency, the gewog office has reportedly approached relevant authorities for support in building the bridge but has been informed that no budget is currently available for the project.

In Logchina Gewog, Aita Singh Rai voiced serious concerns about the Takti Chhu Bridge, highlighting the significant challenges faced by the community due to its absence. “It’s very disheartening,” he stated, reflecting the sentiments of many residents who have felt the impact of inadequate infrastructure for far too long. The road connecting Dolepchen to neighboring gewogs was established around 2016, with an important connection between Jachu and Dolepchen added in 2017 using funds from the gewog’s budget.

Aita explained that three chiwogs rely heavily on this route, especially during the monsoon season when landslides and blockages make travel nearly impossible. “During this time, we struggle to transport our vegetables to the market on time,” he noted. The difficulties extend beyond just reaching markets; when villagers return home with groceries and other essential items, they often find themselves delayed, compounding the challenges of daily life. “That’s why the Takti Chhu Bridge is essential. If the government could provide us with the bridge, it would make travel much more comfortable for the three chiwogs,” he added.

The Takti Chhu farm road offers a more efficient alternative, being 30 kilometres shorter than other available routes. Currently, 13 chiwogs use this path, emphasizing its importance for connectivity in the region. However, recent flash floods have exacerbated travel difficulties, rendering the route even less reliable. Poor maintenance has led to a situation where some vehicles break down due to the rough conditions, further complicating the daily lives of residents.

Aita stressed that the villagers of Dolepchen would be extremely grateful if the bridge could be constructed soon. The community has already taken proactive steps, approaching the gewog office and requesting assistance from Dzongkhag officials regarding the urgent need for the bridge. As challenges mount, residents hope that their pleas will be heard and that solutions will be implemented to improve their connectivity and overall quality of life.

Tham Bir Rai, a driver from Jachu, shared the difficulties faced by many in the community while traveling the Takti Chhu route. He described how drivers often find themselves stranded on the opposite side of the river without access to food, impacting numerous others who rely on this critical path. Despite being a shorter route that allows for quicker travel, the road’s poor condition has turned each journey into a struggle.

Tham Bir Rai explained that the ongoing issues with the Takti Chhu road create significant challenges not only for drivers but also for residents needing to access essential services. “Many of us are forced to endure long waits, and the lack of proper facilities makes the situation even harder,” he said. The wear and tear on vehicles from navigating the rough terrain often leads to frequent breakdowns, causing drivers to incur substantial repair costs. “We would be very grateful if the government could construct a motorable bridge to alleviate these problems,” he added.

The Takti Chhu route is vital for drivers and local residents who need to reach gewog offices and other official services. The current state of the road makes it difficult for people to travel, causing delays in accessing important resources and support. With the community relying heavily on this route, the call for improved infrastructure has become increasingly urgent.

As the challenges continue, Tham Bir Rai and his fellow drivers hope their voices will be heard and that necessary improvements will be made to enhance both safety and convenience for everyone who depends on the Takti Chhu route.

Jit Bdr Rai, another driver from the region, has raised important concerns about the Takti Chhu Bridge and its impact on the community. He recalled a significant incident when the Million Fruit Tree Plantation Project provided fruit saplings to villagers. Unfortunately, due to the absence of a proper bridge, many of these saplings were wasted as they could not be transported in time. “Not only that, my vehicle was damaged beyond repair, and I sadly had to sell it for scrap,” Jit Bdr Rai stated, illustrating the severe repercussions of lacking adequate infrastructure.

He mentioned that he and other community members have brought these concerns to the attention of Dzongkhag officials, only to be told that budget constraints prevent immediate action on constructing the bridge. “We have waited until now, and nothing has changed,” he lamented. The lack of a reliable bridge has forced some residents to spend nights near the river without food, emphasizing the urgent need for improvements.

Despite these challenges, Jit Bdr Rai noted that the community has been proactive in advocating for the Takti Chhu Bridge, recognizing its importance for safe transportation and connectivity. “In 2022, there was a brief startup of construction plans for the bridge, and we contributed our part to that effort,” he explained. He also pointed out that while the gewog administration has conducted inspections to assess the bridge’s condition, the budget remains insufficient for necessary construction.

As the community continues to face these difficulties, the call for the construction of the Takti Chhu Bridge grows louder, highlighting its critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of all who rely on it. Residents of Logchina are increasingly concerned about the stream at Takti, which lacks a bridge. With relevant offices informing the gewog that there is no budget available for construction, the community is now looking to the new government for support and solutions. This situation has heightened their hopes that renewed attention and funding might finally address their pressing infrastructure needs.