Why in news?
India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated the 66th Raising Day of Project DANTAK on 24 April 2026. The event in Thimphu marked 65 years of continuous infrastructure work in Bhutan and included school competitions, tributes to martyrs and felicitation of workers.
Background
Project DANTAK was launched in April 1961 as a partnership between India and Bhutan to build roads, bridges and airports in the Himalayan kingdom. It operates under the BRO but works closely with the Bhutanese government. The project has helped transform Bhutan’s connectivity and socioeconomic development.
Major achievements
- Road network: Over 1,500 km of roads have been constructed, including Bhutan’s first motorable road and the vital east–west highway connecting Trashigang with the capital Thimphu.
- Strategic highways: DANTAK built the Phuentsholing–Thimphu Highway that links Bhutan’s commercial gateway to its capital. It has also upgraded the Samdrup Jongkhar–Trashigang highway and other key routes.
- Aviation infrastructure: The project was instrumental in constructing Paro International Airport, Bhutan’s main gateway, and the high‑altitude Yongphula Airport in eastern Bhutan.
- Other infrastructure: DANTAK has built bridges, hydropower facilities, telecommunication networks, hospitals and schools, supporting Bhutan’s health and education sectors.
- Disaster response: BRO teams under DANTAK quickly reopen roads after landslides and floods, ensuring continuous connectivity.
Significance
- The project symbolises the enduring friendship between India and Bhutan. By improving transport, it has facilitated trade, tourism and social services.
- DANTAK’s success shows how infrastructure diplomacy can strengthen regional ties and benefit local communities.
- Continued upgrades and maintenance ensure that Bhutan’s road network remains resilient and safe in a mountainous environment.
Source: PIB
