Koh Kong: The ecotourism area in ជីផាត commune, ថ្មបាំង district, may gain a bridge in the future as the Royal Government, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance and relevant ministries, studies a crossing over the ជីផាត waterway, expected to cost nearly US$3 million.
Rural Development Ministry spokesperson ពិត ករុណា said specialist teams are carefully assessing technical and environmental impacts. Based on preliminary study results, the project, with an estimated budget of around $3 million, would be an important development benefiting people across ថ្មបាំង district.
The news raised hopes after repeated requests from local authorities, villagers and tourists for a bridge to meet growing tourism and everyday needs.
ជីផាត commune recently received a new 16-kilometer-long, 6-meter-wide DBST road replacing a difficult laterite route, under the Cambodia Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project led by the rural development and tourism ministries. With the new road, residents and travelers continued requesting an additional bridge 162 meters long and 10 meters wide to improve access.
Residents and tourists said the bridge would greatly reduce travel difficulties, speed agricultural products to markets and help local tourism grow twofold.
Commune chief ម៉ឹង សុភា also expressed a wish for the bridge soon, saying he had submitted requests to leaders and relevant ministries on no fewer than three occasions.
Without a bridge, residents and tourists currently depend entirely on the ferry. Although it provides convenience and carries villagers free during nighttime emergencies, tourists often complain about long waits, especially on busy travel days. The report said a new bridge has therefore become a practical need eagerly awaited by the community.
By: ឡាយ កុល
