Bhutan PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay and DGBR Lt Gen Harpal Singh at Damchu-Chukha road in BhutanAfter numerous ups and downs for 8-long years, the much awaited 29.2km Damchu-Chukha Road constructed with an overall cost of Rs 287 crore was formally opened for public. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay inaugurated the road built by Project Dantak. At the inaugural function, the prime minister symbolically untied the ceremonial knot and declared the road open. Speaking on the occasion, Tobgay said, “He was reminded of those times in Bhutan before 1968 when Phuentsholing-Thimphu Highway did not exist and it would take people five days on foot to reach Thimphu from Phuentsholing.” The construction of the Phuentsholing-Thimphu Highway by Dantak in 1968 marked the end of centuries of self-imposed isolation of Bhutan and since then it has become Bhutan’s economic corridor, he added. While complimenting the Project Dantak, the prime minister said that though formal diplomatic relations between Bhutan and India commenced in 1968 but the Dantak was already working in Bhutan since 1961. In the context of the ongoing celebrations to mark 50 years of Bhutan-India friendship he said, “Let this road be a reminder to celebrate our friendship. Let’s showcase the world how beautiful the relationship between Bhutan and India is.” Director general Border Roads Lt Gen Harpal Singh said, “The new road will help Bhutan in reduction of overall carbon footprint.” The overall construction cost was borne by the Indian government as part of Project Tied Assistance (PTA) to the Bhutanese government, an official said. The idea of overall widening of Phuentsholing-Thimphu highway was conceived by Dantak in 2006 and the work on this road was planned as a green field alignment to reduce overall distance as well as obviate the winding road and relatively tiring climb up to Chapcha at 8,000 feet, the official said.
However, the physical construction of the road was commenced in March 2010.
But it got affected due to rugged terrain and tough weather conditions.
Dantak engineers had to contend with perpetual slides at several locations that posed challenges to stabilize the formation. The personnel also battled through over 2500 meters of hard rock and undertake work on three bridges at locations that had no direct access.
The final breakthrough was achieved in August 2017 after over eight months of concentrated efforts by the entire project team with upto 15 excavators working simultaneously besides other machinery and more than 800 men at peak output. With relentless effort thereafter the remaining works were completed and road prepared for its opening, the official added.
The new road is expected to reduce the travel time between Phuntsholing-Thimphu by one hour and reduce the journey by around 19.5 km of steep uphill driving.
