𝐌𝐏 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐤𝐡𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

…𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

By Tashi Tshewang

In the ongoing National Assembly session, the Member of Parliament (MP) from Dophuchen-Tading constituency raised concerns regarding the safety and functionality of the Denchukha suspension bridge. He highlighted the bridge’s vulnerability during the monsoon season and its unsuitability for heavy vehicular traffic, stating that it remains a challenge for the community despite recent government interventions.

While acknowledging the government’s efforts in blacktopping the Tading Gewog Center (GC) road and maintaining the bridge, the MP said the structure continues to pose risks to public safety and restricts transport connectivity. He urged the Ministry to consider constructing an alternative bypass road and inquired whether the proposal had been reviewed or if any plans were in place for implementation.

Responding to the concern, the Minister recognised the challenges associated with the Denchukha suspension bridge and thanked the Member for bringing attention to the issue. He explained that due to technical limitations, the 400-meter-long bridge cannot be reinforced or converted into a Bailey bridge, as the span exceeds specifications for such infrastructure. The Ministry, he said, has identified two possible solutions: either to construct a new permanent bridge, which would require significant financial investment, or to develop an alternative bypass road. He added that the matter is under review, and while implementation depends on budget and feasibility, the government remains committed to ensuring safe and reliable access for the people of Denchukha.

Vaskar Chapagai, the Gup of Denchukha said, “For any kind of development work, we need to bring in heavy vehicles and materials. But the Denchukha suspension bridge can only carry up to 18 metric tons, which seriously hampers everything. We are forced to use the route through Amochhu, but during monsoon, the river floods and washes away everything. Even getting an excavator becomes a huge problem. We can’t clear blocked roads, and farmers are unable to sell their agricultural produce. It’s a big setback for the community.”

Despite being connected by the Gewog Center road, the current Denchukha suspension bridge has become a bottleneck for development and transport in the area. Its weight limitations restrict the movement of goods and services. Residents have raised the issue several times, calling for a stronger bridge or a feasible alternate road connection.

The Gup added, “We have submitted this problem three times now. First, in 2022, we informed the former Minister Dorji Tshering of Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa, who assured us it would be discussed but nothing happened. Then we approached former Minister Lok Nath and later the former Finance Minister, but again, no action was taken. Most recently, we submitted the issue to our current MP, Ugyen Lama of Dophuchen-Tading constituency. We also raised it with the Department of Surface Transport. Although there has been some update, the bridge is still too long and too weak for heavy use. We even approached the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, asking them to consider connecting the GC road through the mining bridge above the current one but we have received no clear response. If there’s still no solution, it will continue to hamper everything from house construction to transporting farm produce. Drivers still charge us full rates, but we can only carry limited loads.”

Bhima Lal Neopaney, a resident of Denchukha, shared, “For small vehicle owners, the bridge is really helpful. It makes daily travel much easier and more convenient.” However, he also expressed concerns about the bridge’s limitations for larger vehicles and developmental needs.
He said, “When it comes to development, especially for transporting construction materials and heavy vehicles, the bridge is a real concern. Its capacity is limited. I also worry about its durability in the long run. I understand there may not be an option to reconstruct the bridge, but I hope there are alternative solutions that can help our village grow and receive the necessary materials without interruption.”

Bhim Nath Adhikari, another resident, said, “The bridge is very narrow; only one car can pass through at a time. When heavy vehicles carry large loads, they have to unload near the bridge, and then a smaller vehicle like a Bolero has to transport the goods across.”
This situation causes delays and increases transportation costs for residents and businesses. The restricted traffic flow has led to long wait times and often forces drivers to take longer alternate routes. This not only affects daily travel but also disrupts emergency services and supply deliveries.

He added, “If the bridge were big and sturdy like the Amochhu Bridge, it would not only benefit our gewog but also the people who travel to Haa. Right now, it’s quite dangerous because of its narrow path.”
Chandra BDR Tiwari, a businessman in the area, said, “The bridge has been a serious problem since the load capacity is limited. Construction costs have risen because of this limitation, yet we still have to bear the same transportation expenses as if carrying a full load. We sometimes have to transship goods into smaller vehicles to manage the load, which adds complexity and delays.”

The limited load capacity has created logistical challenges for businesses. Frequent transshipment increases the risk of goods being damaged, prolongs delivery times, and affects the overall efficiency of the supply chain. This in turn affects the livelihoods of those dependent on reliable transport.

He continued, “It’s risky as well. There have been no accidents so far, but there is a strong likelihood of one occurring soon. We do have an alternative close to the existing bridge. There is another bridge constructed by mining. From there, if possible, we can connect to the main GC road, approximately 1.5 km away. This option would require less construction time and be more cost-efficient. In contrast, construction and repair of the existing bridge is more expensive and time-consuming.”