𝐓𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠’𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐲𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫

…𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉

By Kezang Choden

In an inspiring demonstration of communal unity and resilience, inhabitants of Namgaychhoeling Gewog in Samtse Dzongkhag have embarked on the construction of a makeshift bridge to enhance access to Noonpani village, also known as Tsachhugang village. This proactive endeavor addresses the formidable challenges posed by the Jappi river, which becomes particularly hazardous during the summer months. Annually, residents of the gewog confront significant obstacles navigating the river, as swollen waters render passage to and from Tsachhugang village precarious and, at times, impassable. The construction of this temporary bridge is designed to alleviate these seasonal adversities, ensuring safer and more dependable connectivity for the villagers.

Gup Ratna Bdr Ghalley of Namgaychhoeling Gewog has shed light on the obstacles encountered in erecting a permanent suspension bridge for the local residents. Discussing the recent communal endeavor to establish a temporary bridge, Gup Ghalley emphasized that earlier efforts had prioritized the development of farm roads, driven by substantial concerns linked to nearby mining operations.

“The initial focus was on constructing farm roads because building a suspension bridge presents several challenges, particularly given the proximity of mining activities,” explained Gup Ghalley. “The frequent blasting associated with mining operations could potentially jeopardize the bridge’s structural integrity and safety,” he added.
Looking ahead, Gup Ghalley has outlined plans to advocate for the construction of a suspension bridge in the upcoming Five-Year Plan (FYP). Such a bridge would offer substantial benefits to the 40 to 50 households in the village, ensuring reliable connectivity that is currently lacking.

“While the temporary bridge serves its immediate purpose, our community deserves a permanent and secure crossing capable of withstanding the environmental pressures posed by local mining activities,” affirmed Gup Ghalley.
Sri Man Limbu, a resident of Tsachhugang village, highlighted the community’s motivations driving the initiative. “We united to construct this bridge to mitigate the challenges we face during the summer months,” Limbu explained. “Even our children have to seek shelter in rented accommodations or hostels due to the difficulties of travel,” he added. During the summer season, frequent road closures make travel difficult, compelling villagers to rely on the temporary bridge for attending gewog meetings and accessing vital services.

Limbu brings attention to the hardships faced when attending gewog meetings. “The blocked roads pose significant challenges, forcing us to rely on this temporary bridge,” he noted. “Crossing the river during the summer floods carries a risk to life,” Limbu concluded, stressing the perilous conditions villagers encounter during these periods.
Residents of Tsachhugang village see a beacon of hope in their local hot spring, known as “Tsachhu.” According to Limbu, this natural resource presents significant opportunities for economic growth. He said, “The hot spring attracts many people from different dzongkhags who visit to cure their sickness.” He emphasized that the influx of visitors seeking the therapeutic benefits of the Tsachhu could potentially boost the local economy.

Manip Limbu, a local villager, highlighted the dangerous conditions they endure, particularly when crossing the river to construct temporary bridges. During emergencies, villagers must wait for the water level to decrease before attempting to build these makeshift structures. “We put our lives at risk to construct a bridge for the villagers,” Limbu stated. The villagers of Tsachhugang are required to walk 4 kilometers to reach the gewog office. Despite repeated requests, the village has not yet received a farm road, exacerbating their isolation and the challenges they face, particularly during emergency situations. This practice of constructing temporary bridges has been passed down from generation to generation. Each year, the villagers must rebuild these structures, maintaining a tradition that highlights both their resilience and the ongoing lack of permanent infrastructure.

Amber Singh Ghalley, a local resident, highlighted the community’s efforts to construct temporary bridges, often necessitated by rising water levels and forceful currents. Villagers collectively contribute funds to purchase the materials needed for these makeshift structures. However, the turbulent waters often destroy their hard work, requiring them to rebuild bridges as many as three to four times in a single summer season. Ghalley expressed concerns about the severe impact of these disruptions, noting that villagers face the risk of running out of rations. The situation has resulted in the tragic loss of lives during the summer seasons. “We are feeling tired to construct a bridge time and again, but we don’t have any options to stop that. For the well-being of villagers, we must continue,” said Ghalley.

The residents of Tsachhugang village demonstrate remarkable resilience in the face of significant challenges. The local hot spring, Tsachhu, represents a beacon of hope, attracting visitors from various dzongkhags and offering potential economic growth. However, the village’s lack of permanent infrastructure, particularly the absence of a farm road and the reliance on temporary bridges, exacerbates their isolation and hardships, especially during emergencies. Villagers like Manip Limbu and Amber Singh Ghalley highlight the dangerous conditions they endure and the recurring necessity to rebuild bridges multiple times each summer. Despite the risk to their lives and the persistent threat of running out of rations, the villagers continue to construct these makeshift structures out of necessity and communal responsibility. This ongoing struggle highlights the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure solutions to support the community’s well-being and unlock their economic potential.