The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Thimphu Thromde has plans to build two overhead bridges in the capital as safe crossings. For the pilot project, Thromde has chosen the junction near Yangchenphu Higher Secondary School and Lungtenzampa School and the other at the Ministry of Information and Communications junction.
Thimphu Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said the overhead bridges cannot be placed in the core areas like Norzin Lam as the area might look over congested and ugly.
“As a pilot project, first we will start off with the area near Yangchenphug School. After crossing the bridge, it will connect to the parking lot, so it will be convenient for students, teachers and public,” he said. “We would like to firstly go on experimenting with just one or two areas and get the public’s view because we don’t know how many more will come up after one is in place as it has to be tested and proven that people will accept the structure or appreciate it unlike the city bus stands which was highly criticized.”
Thrompon Kinlay Dorjee said that although the budget is in place they have asked Construction Development Corporation Limited (CDCL) to design the metal fabrication for now.
“I am looking forward to the structure for now because I think it’ll be more convenient for motorists and e pedestrians,” said Dorji, a taxi driver in the capital.
Pema Lhamo, who usually walks to her work place, said overhead bridges are always welcome especially in areas where the traffic is heavy. “But after the completion authorities should stringently make sure pedestrians use it, unlike the overhead bridge in Phuntsholing, which is mainly used by youths for illegal things,” she said.
“I think overhead bridges will save a lot of time for both the motorist and the pedestrians,” said Dema, a Thimphu resident. “Unlike the underpasses, it will be much safer for the pedestrians to even cross during night without having to worry about being molested or raped.”
