Embassy of India

PROJECT DANTAK

CONNECTING PEOPLE-CONNECTING COUNTRIES

1. Introduction & Brief History

Project Dantak, an integral arm of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Government of India, has been a cornerstone of infrastructure development in the Kingdom of Bhutan for over six decades. It was established on 24 April 1961 with the support of His Majesty the Third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Reflecting its profound connection to the Kingdom of Bhutan, the project was presented a unique royal insignia by His Majesty the Third King, superimposing the Dharma Chakra over the original formation sign, a proud emblem worn by its personnel to this day.

Raised in coinciding with Bhutan’s 1^st Five Year Plan (1961-1966), the project commenced its operations from modest bamboo shelters in Samdrup Jongkhar. From these humble beginnings, Dantak has evolved into a premier infrastructure agency in Bhutan.

In 1997, the Project Headquarters relocated from Dewathang in Samdrup Jongkhar to Simtokha, Thimphu, to ensure closer coordination and synergy with the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Over more than 65 years of unwavering service, the project has been built on high sense of dedication and ultimate sacrifices by its workforce. A sacred memorial chorten (stupa) commissioned by the Third King in Dewathang stands as a permanent tribute to the over 1,100 personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty, symbolizing the profound, blood-endured bond between the two nations.

2. Major Historical Achievements

Since 1961, Project Dantak has played a transformative role in pioneering Bhutan’s connectivity, completing over 1,626.80 km of black-topped roads, 115 km of tracks, and 5,179 metres of bridges across the country. The project has successfully handed over 1,067 km of developed roads to the Royal Government of Bhutan to reinforce self-sufficiency. Key landmark achievements include:

2.1 Road & Transport Infrastructure

• The Highway Arteries: Conceptualized and constructed the foundational road networks connecting major towns and Dzongkhags, including the Western Highway (Phuentsholing–Thimphu–Paro), Eastern Highway (Samdrup Jongkhar–Trashigang), Central Highway (Gelephu–Trongsa), and the vital lateral East-West Highway.

• Phuentsholing-Thimphu Road: Completed expeditiously and inaugurated in 1968 by the then Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi, this road is now a crucial link to Asian Highway 48.

• Aviation Connectivity: Constructed Paro International Airport (including its Terminal and Air Traffic Control buildings) in 1968, later extending the runway to 2,265 meters in 2008. Dantak also flattened a mountain to build the Yongphula Airstrip, opening vital air connectivity to eastern Bhutan.

Construction of Paro Airport runway

Yongphula Airstrip

2.2 Telecommunications & Energy Support

• National Communications Backbone: Established Bhutan’s first telecommunications framework by constructing a 524 km trunk route, building 14 telephone exchanges, and executing the prestigious Indo-Bhutan Microwave Link Project.

• Hydropower Infrastructure: Built crucial support roads, bridges, and residential colonies for mega-projects like the Chukha and Tala Hydroelectric Projects, including the heavy-load 68-meter concrete Chukha Bridge (Thegchhen Zam).

2.3 Institutional & Diplomatic Civil Works

• India House Estate: Designed and constructed the sprawling, picturesque Indian Embassy complex in Thimphu.

• Socio-Educational Landmarks: Constructed Sherubtse College in Kanglung (Bhutan’s first college), the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) station in Thimphu, institutional structures for the Bank of Bhutan, and bulk petroleum storage facilities.

Sherubtse College

BBS station in Thimphu

• Healthcare Foundations: Introduced modern medical services to the region by constructing the 50-bed hospital at Dewathang.

His Majesty the Third King inspecting operation theatre at Dewathang Hospital

3. Major Ongoing Works

Project Dantak currently manages and upgrades domestic connectivity to meet modern economic, environmental, and strategic needs. It continues to maintain approximately 500 km of critical highway arteries.

• Jaganathan Bridge: Located on Samdrup Jongkhar-Trashigang Highway in eastern Bhutan, the 80m long Jaganathan Bridge, constructed by Project Dantak at a cost of INR 12.64 crores, was inaugurated on 16 September 2026 by the Foreign Ministers of India and Bhutan.

3.1 Active Road Construction & Improvements

• Chuzom (confluence) - Haa: Upgrading 28 km to Primary National Highway (PNH) specifications in Western Bhutan (Phase I of the project was inaugurated on 1 August 2025).

• Nganglam - Dewathang: Upgrading 61.59 km to PNH specifications in Eastern Bhutan.

• Lorina - Khenchendra: Greenfield construction of a 21 km stretch in Western Bhutan.

• Southeastern Connectivity: Active improvement works on the Kothakpa–Tshobaley road (61.59 km), Nganglam–Panbang road (55 km), Samrang–Jomotsangkha road (58 km), and Dewathang-Samdrupcholing road (51 km) to enhance resilience and ensure all-weather transport.

Samrang-Jomotshangkha highway

3.2 Key Infrastructure & Consultancy Projects

• Motanga Industrial Park: Executing primary infrastructure development for Bhutan’s largest industrial hub in Eastern Bhutan, directly boosting the domestic economy.

• Gedu Tunnel Feasibility: Serving as technical consultants for the techno-financial feasibility study and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a tunnel at Gedu along the Phuentsholing–Thimphu Highway.

• Wangchu River Bridge: Acting as Project Management Consultant (PMC) for the techno-feasibility and DPR of an engineering-intensive 266-meter bridge over the Wangchu River.

• Damchu-Chukha Axis: Major slope stabilization, remediation, and highway strengthening works to mitigate natural calamities and land washouts.

4. Environment, Technology, and Community Reach

Aligned with Bhutan’s stringent environmental sensitivities and Gross National Happiness parameters, Project Dantak seamlessly incorporates modern engineering technologies. These include the utilization of geo-cells and geo-textiles for slope stabilization, building eco-friendly surfaces using plastic-coated aggregates, utilizing pre-cast concrete box structures, and deploying modular bridge designs to preserve natural terrain.

Beyond engineering, Dantak remains close to the hearts of local communities. Through continuous medical and dental camps, support for local industries, educational partnerships, and public events like the Enduring Friendship Mountain Bike Challenge, Dantak continues to fulfil its foundational motto: "Connecting People, Connecting Countries."