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TIL BDR GHALLEY | Thimphu
The Government of India has disbursed Nu 2.90 billion for 15 projects and programme support under Bhutanβs 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP), covering key areas including higher education, human resource development, agricultural protection, digital skilling, healthcare and infrastructure.
The disbursement includes Nu 632.5 million for developing quality infrastructure at colleges under the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), Nu 492.4 million for human resource development and skilling programmes, and Nu 357.3 million for professional development and exchange programmes for teachers, education leaders and students.
The college infrastructure project has a total cost of Nu 1.91 billion, while the human resource development and skilling programme is worth Nu 1.77 billion. The professional development and exchange programme has a total project cost of Nu 1.69 billion.
In agriculture, Nu 250 million was disbursed for Phase II of the chain-link fencing programme, which will construct 60 fencing projects covering 399 kilometres across 19 dzongkhags. The phase has a total project cost of Nu 500 million.
Under Phase I, 193 fencing projects covering 1,042 kilometres across all 20 dzongkhags have been completed or are under implementation, at a total cost of Nu 1.5 billion.
India also disbursed Nu 299.2 million for infrastructure development for the Dratshang, against a total project cost of Nu 836.3 million, and Nu 250 million as the ninth tranche of direct budgetary support to the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Digital transformation is another focus of the assistance. The Digital Skilling Programme, known as Digital Drukyul, received Nu 88.3 million and aims to cover around 100,000 citizens across gewogs. The programme has a total cost of Nu 290 million.
A further Nu 87.6 million was allocated for digital technology to improve teaching and learning at eight RUB colleges, under a project costing Nu 290 million.
The redevelopment of the Phuentsholing Sports Association ground under the Phuentsholing Thromde Enhancement Programme received Nu 148.9 million, out of a total project cost of Nu 231 million.
For weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, Nu 99 million was disbursed towards establishing the National Weather and Flood Warning Centre and scientific facilities in Thimphu. The Nu 331.7 million project includes a national centre operating around the clock to provide weather and flood warnings.
Other allocations include Nu 82.9 million for infrastructure and facilities at the Royal Institute of Management in Thimphu, against a total cost of Nu 200 million; Nu 36.5 million for construction of the Thimphu District Court, under a Nu 334 million project; and Nu 16.638 million for renovation of Gelephu General Hospital, which has a total project cost of Nu 411 million.
The establishment of the Selwa Center, Bhutanβs first dedicated centre for persons with disabilities, received Nu 44.25 million against a total project cost of Nu 300 million.
A further Nu 16.3 million was disbursed for construction of the Khuru Kuenphen bridge on the Bajo-Khuru secondary national highway. With this payment, the entire project cost of Nu 226.4 million has been disbursed.
The meeting also reviewed progress on major projects supported by India under the 13th FYP.
Eleven major highway bridges are being replaced or reconstructed at a total cost of Nu 1.08 billion. The bridges are Gektong Zam, Pakhadrang Zam, Revidrang Zam, Rollong Zam, Golingpong Zam, Chableychu Zam, Dramzang Zam, Chumpathang Zam, Kuchidiana Zam, Tsangchuthama Zam and Choralum Zam. Dramzang Zam has been completed, while the remaining bridges are under construction.
The two sides also reviewed the development of 37 schools, comprising 20 central schools and 17 cluster schools, under a Nu 6 billion programme. The initiative covers infrastructure improvement, technological upgrades, green energy measures and improved sporting facilities.
In the transport sector, India is supporting Bhutanβs transition to electric mobility through the procurement of 100 electric cars for official use and 45 electric buses for public transport. The programme has a total cost of Nu 1.21 billion.
The construction of new government offices for all ministries across two locations in Thimphu, at a total project cost of Nu 1.63 billion, was also reviewed.
Renewable energy cooperation includes a Nu 1 billion programme covering distributed energy resource systems at the College of Science and Technology in Phuentsholing, Jigme Namgyel Engineering College in Dewathang and Jigme Wangchuck Power Training Institute in Gelephu.
The programme also includes last-mile solar electrification in Trashiyangtse, Lunana and Lhuentse; 25 solar water-heating systems; five greenhouse solar dryers; a one-megawatt green hydrogen demonstration project in Thimphu; feasibility assessments for utility-scale solar and wind projects; and skills development in renewable energy.
In healthcare, the meeting reviewed support for the Multi-Disciplinary Super Speciality Hospital, which includes a 200-bed cancer hospital alongside a 430-bed inpatient and outpatient department at the existing Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital and Thimphu General Hospital upon successful commissioning of the new facility. India has allocated Nu 4 billion for the project under the 13th FYP.
The meeting also reviewed human resource development and skilling programmes implemented by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, with an allocation of Nu 183 million. The programmes cover in-service training in tourism, construction, agriculture, production, information and communications technology, city bus services and Bhutan Post, as well as student and faculty exchange programmes for RUB colleges.
The two sides recalled the fifth Plan Talks led by the foreign secretaries on July 30 and the meetings held during the Indian External Affairs Ministerβs visit on September 16 and 17, which reviewed implementation of Indiaβs support for Bhutanβs 13th FYP and ongoing projects.
The disbursement was announced at the 19th Monthly Coordination Meeting between the Embassy of India in Thimphu and the Royal Government of Bhutan to review cooperation under the 13th FY
