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A medium to connect farmers to market and beyond!


A Japanese supported bridge which will enable farmers ferry agricultural products across Menchugang 

Pem Tshering, a native of Dhur village in Bumthang adopted a small-scale dairy farming couple of years ago. But ferrying his milk to the Milk Processing Unit (MPU) at Tamzhing proved challenging. The much awaited farm road came to his village in the first year of the 10th plan, yet it still did not solve his problem. Without bridge over Menchugang river, 1.5 kms before reaching the village, all cars heading Dhur could proceed no further. He continued his perseverance by carrying the milk till Menchugang and hired car to do the job. But that proved to be an expensive option and hence he bought a second-hand vehicle that solved half the problem.
With the inauguration of 18 meter Menchugang bridge jointly by Hon’ble Minister, Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamthso and Mr. Suzuki Manabu, First Secretary to the Japanese Embassy at New Delhi, problem of accessibility has been solved for Pema Tshering and rest of the 89 households of the Dhur village. By population head count, the bridge will shower immediate benefits to almost 700 numbers. Hon’ble Lyonpo reminded the public gathered during the inauguration that the bridge is the gift from the people and government of Japan to Dhur people and it is the direct link between the people of two Countries. He advised them to derive maximum benefits and also use the bridge mindfully – keeping in mind the life span of the bridge.



The construction ofbridge started in November 3, 2010 and successfully completed within short period of time. This is attributed to the better and effective coordination among the different stakeholders involved in bridge construction. The USD 98,000 Bridge will now enable the vehicles to reach at the doorstep of the farm houses and ferry tons of potatoes and other farm produce to the designated market.  Dhur village is one of the best potato growing regions in Bumthang Dzongkhag. Besides numerous other social benefits, the bridge will encourage farmers to embrace many developmental activities besides shortening the time for service delivery by the government and other stakeholders.
Mr. Jigme Dorji, Gewog Administrative Officer of Choekhor Gewog said that earlier it took them 45 minutes uphill walk from the bridge point to reach the village and now with the opening of the bridge they can be there anytime within short period.
Dhur people are very grateful to the government and the Hon’ble Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho for the initiative and support rendered towards materialising the bridge over Menchugang river and helping realize the dream that they have dreamt for so long.

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