Tall tale of a tall bridge
5 September 2008
The promises have begun to prick. And it is the DPT supporters and coordinators in the constituencies who are bearing the brunt of it all. People of the gewogs of Tarithang, Umling, Chuzangang, and Shershong in Gelephu have started harassing and abusing DPT coordinators over the promised Maokhola bridge.
The construction of a mega bridge spanning 2.5 kms over the Maokhola is seen now as a rather tall promise made by MP Prem Kumar Gurung. In political circles, people say the MP acknowledges that he went a little to far with the promise of the longest bridge in the kingdom.
“We did not ask for the bridge at Maokhola. It is the hope they showered upon us. We would not have expected it if they had not promised it to us. If they don’t fulfill it, they are cheating us,” said a shopkeeper from Shershong. People wonder where the person who promised them so much has gone. They are eager to meet him so that they can take him to task on his promises which they now see as empty.
“One of the biggest promises of DPT and the value of their manifesto would be useless if the party can’t construct the bridge for us. We trusted them and their manifesto so much that we voted for them,” said the Sershong gup, Rinzin Wangdi.
The people of these four gewogs say that in the absence of the bridge, no major development activities can take place in the area. They will be left isolated, economically backward and politically inferior. “This river never lets us go forward. Undertaking of any development is marred. We cannot develop ourselves by just tilling the fields,” he said.
Moreover, the people say they are tired of contributing woolah every winter to construct temporary bridges at Maokhola only to see washed away by the monsoon rain. They are also tired of ferrying across in boats which is risky.
Over 1,000 households and 8,000 people are affected by the Maokhola River every year. “Chuzangang is known for bumper cultivation of rice, vegetables, and areca nuts. But if the problem continues, farmers would be morally discouraged when they have no means to transport their produce to the Gelephu market,” said the Chuzangang clerk, Leki Wangchuk.
MP Prem Kumar Gurung said he is waiting for the constituency fund to be passed. “As an immediate solution, as soon as the constituency fund is released I want to put one or two wooden boats at Maokhola and look after the payment of the boatmen. The boats will be free of charge for the villagers of the four gewogs,” he said, adding that he is going to fund the construction of the temporary bridges if people maintain the accounts.
Another option, he said, would be the construction of a suspension bridge over the river which is primarily needed in summer. He sees no need for a mega bridge when a simple suspension bridge can do the job.
When asked if he was reneging on his promise and the DPT manifesto, he said, “I am not going against them. To construct a mega bridge at Maokhola, we need to look into so many factors like planning, executing, beneficiary and feasibility study, donor agencies and funds. We have to give time to the cabinet.” The logistical headaches seem to have been overlooked during the magnanimity of the promises.
By Riku Dhan Subba
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Loading ...Zakar for Monday September 06 2010
28th Day of the 07th Month - Iron Male Tiger Year
Auspicious for: Propitiating gods and deities, making offering to naga, starting business, handing and taking over anything, and entering new house. But it is she-za(unfavourable day) for people who are born in the year of Bird and Monkey.
Inauspicious for: Hoisting flags and undertaking long journey.
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Well, Mr. Prem’s expression of inability to build the bridge comes as a shock not only to the people of four gewogs but also to the people from other parts who have land and properties there. We have been looking forward to do business there once we have the bridge. If Mr. Prem cannot do it, can he now step down so that arrangement of new MP be made who can fulfill the promise.
Temporary solution is not what people are looking for. How many years would anyone like to carry huge load on their back to and from the market. How many more years would anyone like to carry the sick on their back to the hospital and how many years would anyone like to walk hours to catch the bus to travel to other parts of the country. If Mr. Prem rows the boats instead of hiring someone for the villagers everyday, people are willing to accept the temporary solution. Or else, from the huge perks and salary he gets anyone can hire a boatman. Give me 30,000 Nu every month, I can also pay 10000 to the boatman and make him row for you. Thats not the solution people want. Please do make way for some other capable people if you cannot do that.
Personally, I am not suprised that someone with a name like Prem Kumar would go around promising bridges like that. Its just like them to lie shamelessly.
We would like someone with the Name Dorji to go and promise the Bridge, so that none would be dare to ask him again. Who dare say that the lion has bad breath??
politician are same every where. they can promise to build a bridge even where there is no river. so it is people themselves who failed to make proper appraisal of their candidate. it is none to be blamed but people who have voted for him.