𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐥𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞

…𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒔

By Tashi Tshewang

Students and residents of Pelrithang, under Gelephu Gewog, are struggling to cross a river that expands dangerously during the monsoon season. The absence of a bridge has made daily commutes to Pelrithang Higher Secondary School and surrounding villages extremely risky. During heavy rains, the river swells rapidly, forcing students and villagers to wade through fast-flowing waters or rely on unsafe makeshift paths.

Local residents say the situation has become increasingly difficult in recent years as unpredictable rainfall and stronger currents make crossing nearly impossible at times. Children often have no choice but to brave the waters to attend school, while villagers face challenges transporting essential goods and accessing markets or health services. The lack of proper infrastructure has not only put lives at risk but also disrupted education and daily activities for the community.

Community members have repeatedly raised the issue with local authorities, emphasizing the urgent need for a bridge to ensure safe passage. With no immediate solution in place, residents continue to face uncertainty each monsoon, highlighting the critical need for infrastructure development in rural areas like Pelrithang.
Sonam Dakpa, the Mangmi of Gelephu Gewog, said, “The gewog has already informed the relevant authorities about the urgent need for a bridge at Pelrithang. With the upcoming national highway planned to pass through Pelrithang, we are hopeful that the bridge will be included as part of the construction works. It would solve a long-standing problem for our community, especially during the monsoon months.”

He explained that the lack of a proper bridge has been a recurring challenge for years, particularly when heavy rains swell the rivers and make crossings treacherous. On rainy days, students on their way to Pelrithang Higher Secondary School, along with parents and villagers, are forced to wade through fast-moving waters, putting their safety at risk. The gewog administration has consistently appealed to higher authorities for infrastructure that guarantees safe travel throughout the year.

He added, “We have been requesting two suspension bridges, one at Shatikhara Chu and another at Dawalachu under Pelrithang Khamed and Pelrithang Khoted chiwogs, so that residents can cross safely even in peak rainy seasons. These bridges would not only help schoolchildren but also farmers and other villagers who need to travel daily for work, trade, and essential services.”

Chenga Dawa, Principal of Pelrithang Higher Secondary School, said, “It is a normal challenge we face every year. I have not received any complaints regarding punctuality or absenteeism. Most students attend classes regularly, and thankfully, no incidents have occurred in the school’s history.”

The school has taken several measures to ensure student safety, including creating awareness among parents during PTMs, communicating through class forums, raising awareness during assemblies and prayer time, and appointing community and teacher focal persons to monitor safety. They also provide bus services to catchment areas such as Dechenpelri, Dzomlingthang, Lekithang, and Pemathang, and follow advisory notes from the Ministry of Education and Sports Division as well as the Dzongkhag administration.

He concluded, “To improve child safety and shorten the travel route for students and the community, we believe a bridge would be highly beneficial. Currently, around 100 students have to cross the river during the summer season, and a proper bridge would make the journey safer and help the public feel secure, especially during the monsoon months.”

Madhav Dhungna, a resident of Pelrithang, shared, “There used to be an old bridge that we relied on for daily travel, but it was removed due to ongoing construction. Ever since the bridge was taken down, students who live on the other side of the river have had no safe way to reach school. During the monsoon, the river swells quickly and becomes very dangerous, which worries parents every day. Even villagers carrying goods or going to the market face similar risks, and there is constant anxiety about accidents.”

The absence of a bridge has forced residents to choose between a long 4.5 to 5 kilometre detour or crossing the river directly, despite the growing risks during the rainy season. Many people continue to cross the river because the detour consumes too much time, but this exposes students and villagers to dangerous currents and rising waters.
He added, “We hope that authorities will consider building a bridge soon. It would not only ensure the safety of students and parents but also help farmers, traders, and all villagers travel safely throughout the year. A bridge would truly transform daily life here and reduce the constant worry that comes with the monsoon.”

Tsheten Lhendup, a resident of Pelrithang, said, “In the past, we used the old bridge to visit the hospital, as it saved a lot of travel time. It was much easier for patients and villagers to reach medical facilities quickly, especially during emergencies. Now, without the bridge, we have to take the long route, which often requires using a vehicle and consumes much more time.”

The removal of the old bridge has significantly increased travel time for residents needing medical care. Many villagers now face delays in accessing the hospital, making routine visits and emergency trips more difficult, particularly during the monsoon season when the river becomes dangerous to cross.
He added, “Having a bridge again would make travel safer and faster for everyone, especially for those needing urgent medical attention. It would ease daily life and reduce the constant worry of getting caught in difficult situations while crossing the river.”