Bhutan - Bridge opened in Chhuboog Gewog, Punakha

The 118 metre new bridge over Mochu River under Chhuboog Gewog in Punakha is now open. The bridge at Bali village, will benefit some 27 households under Chhuboog Gewog. The new bridge will benefit especially the students and villagers of Bali.

In the absence of a bridge, students have to cross Mochu River, which is the only short route until the bridge was opened. The other route to the school is a two hour walk from the village.

The bridge was constructed 11 months, at a cost of Nu 1.2 million with funds from Helvetas, and labour contribution from the beneficiaries.

Bhutan - Search continues for two missing workers

Samdingkha Bridge Collapse 4 July, 2011 - Four days after the Samdingkha bridge in Punakha collapsed, police, army personnel and construction workers continue their search for the two workers who went missing after they fell into the river.

An 18-year-old JCB backhoe loader operator’s assistant and a 22-year-old road roller operator went missing since July 1 after the JCB backhoe they were in, to launch the bridge’s metal sheet, fell into the Samdingkhachu and Punatsangchu.

Six workers were inside the JCB backhoe loader at the time of the incident.

While two workers, a 22-year-old excavator operator and 26-year-old site in-charge escaped with minor injuries, the body of a 21-year-old site supervisor was fished out a few hours after the bridge collapsed.

The body of the 19-year-old tractor driver was found at a shallow riverbank, 2km away from the accident site on the morning of July 2.

Police in Punakha said the swollen river must have washed away the bodies of the two missing workers.

“We have already informed police in Wangduephodrang check post and Punatsangchu officials to look for the bodies,” an official said.

The construction of the 60m double-decked reinforced bailey bridge began seven months ago.

It gave way when the backhoe loader, laying metal sheets on the bridge, reached midway.

By Tashi Dema