𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚𝐠 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟑 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝟒𝟎 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲

….. 𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒘𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒓𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 13𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏

By Kinga Choki

The nationwide Dzongkhag roads improvement programme is progressing under the Department of Surface Transport as part of the Government’s broader efforts to strengthen rural connectivity during the 13th Five Year Plan. The programme focuses on the improvement and blacktopping of roads formerly known as Gewog Centre Roads and is being implemented across multiple dzongkhags under phased schedules.

According to the Department of Surface Transport, a total of 146 Dzongkhag Roads, covering approximately 1,954 kilometres nationwide, have been identified for phased improvement. Of these, 67 priority Dzongkhag Roads spanning 971.407 kilometres are being supported through the Government of India Project Tied Assistance, including associated bridge construction and strengthening works.

“The nationwide Dzongkhag roads improvement programme is being implemented in line with the Government’s commitment to strengthening rural connectivity under the 13th Five Year Plan.

Under this programme, 146 Dzongkhag Roads covering approximately 1,954 kilometres have been identified for phased improvement across the country.

With support from the Government of India Project Tied Assistance, 67 priority Dzongkhag Roads covering 971.407 kilometres have been prioritized for improvement, including associated bridge construction and strengthening works,” said Ugyen Norbu, Chief Program Officer, Department of Surface Transport.

A total allocation of Nu. 4,869.92 million has been approved under the Government of India Project Tied Assistance to support the improvement of priority roads. The funding also covers bridge construction and strengthening works to ensure year-round connectivity and structural safety. The department stated that implementation is being carried out in phases depending on funding availability and contract timelines.

During the financial year 2024 to 2025, 23 Dzongkhag roads were taken up for improvement and blacktopping. Of these, nine roads were fully completed within the financial year.

The completed roads include the Limbukha Gewog road in Punakha Dzongkhag, measuring 10.40 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 24.836 million; the Nubi Gewog road in Trongsa Dzongkhag, measuring 17.20 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 36.730 million; and the Tang Gewog road in Bumthang Dzongkhag, spanning 17 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 38.466 million.

Other completed roads include the Khoma Gewog road in Lhuentse Dzongkhag, measuring 5.45 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 20.562 million; the Doteng Gewog road in Paro Dzongkhag, measuring 7 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 13.828 million; and the Sombaykha Gewog road in Haa Dzongkhag, measuring 6.27 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 31.913 million.

In Sarpang Dzongkhag, the Singye Gewog road, measuring 9 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 25.664 million, and the Chuddzom Gewog road, measuring 3.18 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 17.000 million, were completed. The Tading Gewog road in Samtse Dzongkhag, measuring 1.83 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 10.887 million, was also completed within the same financial year.

The remaining 14 roads taken up during the 2024 to 2025 financial year are currently under active implementation and are scheduled for completion in phases between the 2025 to 2026 and 2027 to 2028 financial years. Of these, 11 roads are expected to be completed by the end of the 2025 to 2026 financial year, two by the 2026 to 2027 financial year, and one by the 2027 to 2028 financial year.

Among the ongoing works, the Dangchu Gewog road in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag spans 18 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 48.868 million and is scheduled for completion by the end of the 2025 to 2026 financial year. The Chongshing Gewog road in Pemagatshel Dzongkhag, measuring 21.40 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 85.010 million, commenced on 3 January 2025 and is scheduled for completion on 3 April 2026. The Martshalla Gewog road Phase I in Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag covers 13 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 48.800 million and is expected to be completed by 26 December 2025.

Other roads progressing under scheduled timelines include the Shingkhar Gewog road in Zhemgang Dzongkhag, measuring 29 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 103.107 million; the Doongna Gewog road in Chhukha Dzongkhag, measuring 9.93 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 67.440 million; and the Rangjung to Phongmey Gewog road in Trashigang Dzongkhag, spanning 17.30 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 92.670 million.

The Bumdelling Gewog road in Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag measures 3.627 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 20.950 million. Other ongoing projects include the Tsirangtoed Gewog road in Sarpang Dzongkhag, measuring 12.10 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 54.340 million; the Pangrizam to Chamina access road in Thimphu, measuring 2.880 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 116.271 million; the Norgaygang Gewog road in Samtse Dzongkhag, measuring 17.40 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 68.316 million; and the Silambi Gewog road in Mongar Dzongkhag, measuring 18.76 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 74.890 million.

The Naro Gewog road in Thimphu Dzongkhag, measuring 2.10 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 75.000 million, is expected to be completed during the 2027 to 2028 financial year. The Dorona Gewog road in Dagana Dzongkhag, spanning 14.15 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 236.134 million, is scheduled for completion by July 2027, while the Laya Gewog road in Gasa Dzongkhag, measuring 14.10 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 88.490 million, is scheduled to be completed by December 2027.

Looking ahead to the 2025 to 2026 financial year, the Department of Surface Transport has identified 40 additional Dzongkhag roads for improvement and blacktopping. Of these, 12 roads are targeted for completion within the financial year, while the remaining 28 roads will continue into subsequent years.

Works have already commenced on several of these roads, including the Minjey Gewog road in Lhuentse Dzongkhag, measuring 7.759 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 29.291 million; the Dagala Gewog road in Thimphu Dzongkhag, measuring 1.020 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 7.161 million; and the Bjoka Gewog road in Zhemgang Dzongkhag, measuring 5 kilometres with a contract amount of Nu. 43.373 million.

Other roads under implementation include the Goshing Gewog road in Zhemgang Dzongkhag, the Korphu Gewog road in Trongsa Dzongkhag, the Medtsho Gewog road in Lhuentse Dzongkhag, the Kabisa Gewog road in Punakha Dzongkhag, the Rubesa Gewog road in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag, the Tsakaling Gewog road in Mongar Dzongkhag, and the Khamdang Gewog road in Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag.

Additional projects span several dzongkhags, including the Sangngagcheoling Gewog road in Samtse Dzongkhag, the Bidung Gewog road in Trashigang Dzongkhag, the Nichula Gewog road in Dagana Dzongkhag, the Gangtey Gewog road in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag, the Tsangkha Gewog road in Dagana Dzongkhag, the Kilkhorthang to Dunglagang Gewog road in Tsirang Dzongkhag, the Drujaygang Gewog road in Dagana Dzongkhag, the Drukgyel to Shana Gewog road in Thimphu Dzongkhag, the Decheling Gewog road in Pemagatshel Dzongkhag, the Orong Gewog road in Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag, the Lamgong Gewog road in Paro Dzongkhag, and the Sakteng Gewog road in Trashigang Dzongkhag.

Longer-term projects include the Wolakha to Talo Gewog road in Punakha Dzongkhag, the Khar Gewog road in Pemagatshel Dzongkhag, the Gomdar Gewog road in Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag, the Bumdelling Gewog road in Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag, the Martshalla Gewog road Phase II in Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag, the Barshong Gewog road in Tsirang Dzongkhag, the Logchina Gewog road in Chhukha Dzongkhag, the Dzomi to Shengana Gewog road in Punakha Dzongkhag, the Baylangdra access road in Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag, the Silambi to Gongdue Gewog road in Mongar Dzongkhag, the Kengkhar Gewog road in Mongar Dzongkhag, the Getena Gewog road in Chhukha Dzongkhag, and the Dakpai to Buli road in Zhemgang Dzongkhag.

At present, 79 of the 146 Dzongkhag Roads identified nationwide, covering 843.95 kilometres, remain yet to be improved, subject to the availability of additional funding support from the Royal Government of Bhutan and development partners. Based on current contract rates, the improvement cost per kilometre stands at Nu. 3.62 million, with the estimated total cost for improving the remaining roads amounting to Nu. 3,055.099 million.

In addition to road improvement works, bridge construction and strengthening activities are being undertaken on several Dzongkhag Roads to enhance climate resilience, safety, and uninterrupted connectivity for rural communities across the country.