ཤེས་རིག་དང་རིག་རྩལ་གོང་འཕེལ་ལྷན་ཁག།
Ministy of Education and Skills Development
Strengthening Rural Connectivity Through New Roads and Bridge in Samtse
Communities in Namgaychhoeling, Sang-Ngag-Chhoeling, Yoeseltse and Ugyentse gewogs in Samtse are set to benefit from improved connectivity following the inauguration of a new suspension bridge and three farm roads.
The infrastructure was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Lyonpo for Education and Skills Development during her official tour of Samtse. Also present were the Second Secretary of the Embassy of India in Thimphu, Dasho Dzongdag of Samtse, local representatives and other invited guests.
On August 25, Namgaychhoeling welcomed the new Tshachugang Suspension Bridge across the Jiti River, connecting more than 60 households in Tersulay, Tshachugang and Tshosarling villages.
For these communities, the bridge is more than a new crossing. The challenging terrain has made it unfeasible to construct a farm road to the villages, leaving people to rely on difficult routes, particularly during the monsoon when swollen rivers can make travel risky.
With a bridge in place, people will have a safer and more reliable connection throughout the year. It is also expected to make a meaningful difference for school-going children, enabling them to travel to school more safely from their homes. For parents who previously had to accompany their children or arrange accommodation closer to schools, the bridge will help ease the burden.
In Sang-Ngag-Chhoeling, the 7.5-kilometer Depheling Moed–Sadhuzhima Farm Road was inaugurated on August 26. The road will serve around 300 households, representing more than 2,500 people.
The following day, a 5.6-kilometer farm road linking Zurigang and Dungkar via Zoepaling to Rinchenphu was inaugurated in Yoeseltse, benefiting 120 households.
At Ugyentse, a 2.5-kilometer farm road connecting Jarithang, Rigpaling, Dangkarling and Lhendrupling was inaugurated on August 28, providing improved access to around 150 households.
The new infrastructure is expected to address longstanding challenges faced by rural communities in accessing education, markets, healthcare, and other essential services. With agriculture remaining the main source of livelihood for many households, improved roads are expected to strengthen market access and create opportunities for new economic activities.
For students, such facilities will mean safer and more reliable journeys to school, shorter travel times and greater opportunities to focus on their studies.
The infrastructure was supported by the Government of India through the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP).
Reflecting on the significance of the new road, the Gup of Sang-Ngag-Chhoeling said the road would bring benefits beyond improved infrastructure. “It means connectivity for children, opportunities for farmers, accessibility for elders and those who are sick, greater mobility for communities and hope for a brighter future,” the Gup said.
Following the inaugurations, Lyonpo engaged with the public of the four gewogs to discuss the progress of development activities and challenges. The meetings provided an opportunity for communities to raise concerns affecting their daily lives and learn about government initiatives and services in areas including education, health, agriculture, insurance, infrastructure, internet connectivity and education loans.
In addition, Lyonpo met with Dasho Dzongdag of Samtse and the team to discuss concerns raised by the communities and areas requiring Dzongkhag support. She commended the team for successfully implementing the planned activities and for their continued commitment to improving rural livelihoods and strengthening community development. See less