Authorities strengthen traffic management, transport, water supply and emergency services ahead of November 1 ceremony
TIL BDR GHALLEY | Gelephu
With just a week to go before the raising of 108 Jangchub Chortens on November 1, Gelephu is preparing to receive more than 40,000 vehicles, with authorities arranging free transport, restricting traffic and expanding water and sanitation facilities for the expected influx of visitors.
The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) is introducing staggered travel schedules, strengthening highway monitoring and restricting private vehicle movement within Gelephu from October 30 to November 4. Residents have been asked to keep their vehicles parked during the period to reduce congestion.
The measures are intended to prevent vehicles from different parts of the country from arriving in Gelephu at the same time.
Colonel Chogyel Drukpa, the RBP’s media focal person for Project 108, said staggered travel schedules were designed to prevent vehicles from different locations arriving in Gelephu simultaneously.
Travellers have been asked to follow departure schedules published on the RBP’s official Facebook page. The schedules specify departure windows based on starting locations and estimated journey times to Gelephu.
Highway monitoring will be strengthened using speed detectors, body cameras and number plate recognition systems.
Police have also advised motorists to avoid the Gelephu-Tsirang highway on October 30 and 31 where possible and consider alternative routes. An additional route through Bishmuri connecting to Sarpang has been coordinated with Indian counterparts to provide another option for visitors travelling from the Samtse and Phuentsholing areas who will be staying in Sarpang, Dekiling and nearby locations.
Once visitors reach Gelephu, authorities will direct private vehicles to designated parking areas and encourage people to use organised transport to reach the event venue.
About 1,800 taxis and 122 buses have registered to provide free transport services from October 29 to November 4. Designated parking areas will also serve as pickup and drop-off points, with police, traffic officials and De-suups helping passengers aboard the appropriate vehicles.
Pickup and drop-off points will be established at locations including Shishamthang, Kinga Choling Anim Dratshang for people from Umling and Taraythang, along the Gelephu-Sejong and Gelephu-Sarpong highways, and between the Integrated Check Post and Pelrithang.
The transport arrangements will use colour-coded identification to help direct visitors to their designated event locations, known as Zeerays. Passengers will be guided to the appropriate buses according to their assigned locations.
Visitors are also being encouraged to walk where practical, particularly for journeys of two to three kilometres, to reduce pressure on buses and taxis.
Although private vehicle movement within Gelephu will be restricted from October 30 to November 4, people will be allowed to leave the town during the period.
Police have clarified that visitors do not need separate CPMS registration for Project 108 but must comply with existing registration requirements at immigration checkpoints where applicable.
Beyond traffic, the gathering will place additional pressure on sanitation and waste disposal.
Authorities are preparing around 5,000 toilets and urinals at strategic locations, alongside handwashing facilities and filtered drinking water points.
Waste management plans include collecting rubbish from public gathering areas and placing bins at multiple locations. Colour-coded plastic bags will be used where permanent bins cannot be installed, with arrangements covering Gelephu town, surrounding gewogs and event sites.
Regular collection and removal of waste will be important as visitor numbers increase, particularly around public spaces and gathering areas. The arrangements will require coordination between sanitation teams and event managers throughout the event.
Water availability is another priority as authorities prepare for demand far beyond Gelephu’s usual requirements.
The town will rely on three main sources: the Phulari water treatment plant, the Mao River and a deep borewell.
The governor of Gelephu Mindfulness City said the Phulari water treatment plant alone could supply a population of approximately 65,000, compared with Gelephu Thromde’s current population of around 9,000.
With additional water from the Mao River and the deep borewell, the combined supply is expected to cater to between 150,000 and 200,000 people, he said.
Around 40 water tankers have been mobilised from across the country and are expected to deliver water around the clock to households, hotels, restaurants, tent camps and residential areas.
Designated drinking water points will provide filtered water, while households have been asked to keep their water tanks accessible so tankers can refill them when needed.
The scale of the water supply arrangements will be critical as demand rises, particularly at accommodation sites and public gathering areas where visitors will need reliable access to drinking water and other essential services.
Emergency preparedness is also part of the arrangements. Fire engines and firefighting personnel will be deployed at key locations, while search-and-rescue teams will be stationed along major highways to strengthen responses to road accidents and other incidents.
The governor also clarified that purchasing special T-shirts, caps or umbrellas for the occasion was not mandatory. He encouraged people to wear colourful formal attire to complement the ceremonial atmosphere.
For residents, the restrictions will require adjustments to normal travel arrangements. Visitors, meanwhile, are being urged to plan their journeys in advance, follow departure schedules and use designated parking and transport services.
