𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐤𝐡𝐚

…𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔

By Leki Chungdon

A temporary man-made bridge has been constructed in Denchukha, Samtse Dzongkhag, restoring a vital transport link for the local community. The new structure is expected to ease the movement of people, goods, and essential services that had been disrupted in the area. The bridge will serve as an interim measure until a permanent structure is planned and constructed. Residents of Denchukha and nearby gewogs have welcomed the initiative, noting that the bridge is crucial for accessing markets, schools, and health services. Local authorities have expressed their commitment to ensuring safe passage and maintaining the bridge while longer-term solutions are explored. The project highlights ongoing efforts to improve rural connectivity and support livelihoods in remote parts of Samtse.

LD Sharma, the Mangmi of Denchukha, said that Denchukha Gewog currently has no alternative routes to connect with neighboring communities, making bridges and roads a lifeline for the people. Many households in the gewog are engaged in piggery and poultry farming, and the route serves as the only means to sell their products and transport essential animal feed. Without such connections, farmers face isolation and difficulty in sustaining their livelihoods. The recently constructed temporary bridge has therefore become a critical necessity for the community.

Sharma explained that the bridge was built through the collective effort of volunteers from three gewogs- Denchukha, Dophuchen, and Dumtoe- supported by staff from the Dorokha Drungkhag administration. Civil servants, institutions, and the local business community also contributed by providing meals and refreshments during the construction, reflecting a strong sense of public solidarity and shared responsibility. “The bridge is not just a structure it represents the unity and cooperation of the people,” Sharma said.

While the temporary bridge offers immediate relief, he acknowledged that it is only a short-term solution. The Department of Surface Transport (DoST) has already planned to construct a permanent bridge with a load capacity of 40 metric tons. However, the project is expected to take at least two to three years to complete. The construction involves not only the bridge itself but also the excavation of a shortcut road that will connect directly to the GC Road, significantly improving accessibility. In addition, other infrastructure projects are in the pipeline to strengthen connectivity in the region. Road construction is ongoing from Phuentsholing Gewog’s Damjee village toward Denchukha, while a suspension bridge is planned across the Piona Khola. Once completed, these initiatives will greatly benefit residents across five Chiwogs in Denchukha Gewog as well as one Chiwog under Gakiling Gewog in Haa Dzongkhag, improving trade, mobility, and access to services.

Despite these promising plans, Sharma cautioned that the temporary bridge is fragile and may not last long. “If the weather holds and we do not face floods or other natural disasters, it may last for about six months,” he said. He added that heavy rainfall, which is common in the area, could pose significant risks to the structure, disrupting transport and once again cutting off communities from vital markets and services. Sharma emphasized that while the community remains hopeful for the timely completion of the permanent bridge and related infrastructure projects, continued government support and public cooperation are essential. “This bridge has brought us immediate relief, but the real solution lies in long-term, durable infrastructure. Until then, our people will have to rely on this fragile connection, with the hope that it holds strong through the monsoon season,” he said.

Oma Nath Chapagai, the Tshogpa of Gabji Denchukha Chiwog, said that the construction of the new temporary bridge has brought significant relief to the people, changing not only their daily lives but also their outlook. “During this critical time, people faced immense hardship crossing the river. Those who had traveled to their parents’ homes for the Dassain festival struggled to return on time. Families with financial constraints had to stay behind, while some managed to fly on private helicopters. On October 10, Bhutan Helicopter Services even transported animal feed and poultry supplies and airlifted students, teachers, and farmers from Dorokha,” he said.

Chapagai explained that the new bridge has restored access to schools, markets, and health centers, which had become extremely difficult to reach. “From our present station in Denchukha, it takes about three hours to reach the Amochhu Bridge, and five hours on the return journey. Farmers engaged in dairy, poultry, and vegetable farming have faced major difficulties transporting their products to the market because of poor road conditions and the lack of a permanent motorable bridge,” he added.

Despite the temporary relief, Chapagai expressed concern about the durability of the bridge. “We are not as comfortable as before. If the weather turns severe again, there is a real risk that the bridge will be washed away. If the government could build a suspension bridge at a suitable location, Denchukha Gewog would no longer face such issues. Our gewog has been left isolated for far too long, and development has been slow. Even our blacktopped roads have been washed away by flash floods, making vehicle movement impossible,” he said.

He highlighted that the temporary bridge was completed in just seven days, through collective effort and public participation. Each day, 80 to 100 people volunteered, mobilizing a total workforce of nearly 800. Dessups from Dumtoe, Dophuchen, and Denchukha Gewogs actively participated, along with senior officials including the Samtse Dzongda, Dorokha Dungpa, Dasho OC, Dasho NC, and the Member of Parliament, who all extended their support during the community’s time of difficulty.

However, Chapagai pointed out that poultry farmers continue to face acute challenges. “Feed shortages remain a pressing problem. Transporting animal feed from road points to our stations has become expensive. One bag of Karma feed now costs Nu. 2,800 to 3,000, whereas earlier it cost only Nu. 2,200. This has added a huge burden on farmers,” he said. Chapagai stressed that a permanent, stable bridge is the only lasting solution to Denchukha’s isolation. “The temporary bridge has eased our hardship for now, but until we have durable infrastructure, our farmers and communities will continue to struggle,” he said.