Water: Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay inaugurated Pemagatshel’s Khonmari water pumping project during his recent visit to the dzongkhag.

However, water is yet to be released. Officials estimate that it might take about a month to release the water to the two gewogs of Shumar and Zobel that are facing acute shortage of water.

Damchoe Zangmo, officiating dzongkhag engineer, said a few rectifications need to be completed water is released to prevent fluctuation in the flow of water. “This will be completed very soon.”

The Nu 100 million government-funded project is expected to benefit about 10,000 people. The project that began in September 2012 was completed in July 2015.

Considered to be the first of its kind in Zobel gewog, the project will pump water from the perennial Khonmari stream. Submersible pumps have been installed underground some 3km away from the gewog.

Shumar Gup Lepo said that water must be supplied to Gonpawoong village that faces acute water shortage and only then to other villages.

The Prime Minister reminded people of the two gewogs that a huge investment has been made in the project, which is bigger than what the government has spent in the existing thromdes and that they should take good care of the water pumps.

“It is government’s responsibility to make water available. But maintenance is your responsibility and, if possible, communities should form a tshogpa that could take care of the water pump.”

Yangchen C Rinzin,  Pemagatshel 

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