Thimphu thromde’s target to provide 24 hours water to 80 percent of the households in Thimphu is at risk, thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said.

This was shared at the mid-year annual performance agreement review held in Paro last week.

Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said that most of Chamgang to Semtokha water distribution pipes were on slopes. During monsoon, the pipes get damaged causing intermittent water supply to Olakha, Babesa and Changbangdo. “From Chamgang to Semtokha Bridge we want to bring the pipeline along the road,” he said.

However, the thromde is awaiting approval to lay the pipeline from the balancing tank to Semtokha from the field division of the department of roads (DoR). “We wrote a letter for approval to the division of DoR with a copy to Thimphu dzongkhag administration.”

To this, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that if permission were required for the construction of pipelines, related stakeholders would soon sit together to discuss the issue.

“If the roads are damaged, we need to guarantee them that the road will be reconstructed. Relevant stakeholders will sit together and discuss the problem and work shouldn’t be kept static,” he said.

Thrompon also said that the construction of a water treatment plant in Taba, which is expected to serve about 100,000 people was delayed.

The water treatment plant is part of the Central Water Supply Scheme consisting of two projects – construction of a water treatment plant and construction of an intake and transmission main from Dodena to Taba, distribution lines and clear water reservoirs.

The project was supposed to begin by February last year but was delayed for about three months.

Thromde’s project manager, Pekar Rabgay, said the project needed an environment clearance as some land was owned by private owners and the state. “About 40 percent of the work including construction of distribution networks, construction of water reservoirs and caretakers’ quarters has been completed.” The project was to be completed this November.

The treatment plant will benefit residents of Changjij, Yangchenphug, Changzamtok, Hejo, Samtenling, Langjophakha, Jungshina and Pamtsho.

Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said that following the clearance, the work was tendered in August last year. “Now work on the distribution network has also begun and contractors are working to complete it on time.”

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that among the many priorities, water is one of the most important. “We have been failing in many areas including rural areas. We should do whatever we can in the 11th Plan and continue it in the 12th Plan.”

Phurpa Lhamo

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