Project Dantak

Project Dantak, a venerable initiative of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), recently celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in Bhutan. This historic project has witnessed the dedicated efforts of more than 1,200 personnel who sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of constructing vital infrastructure in Bhutan.

About Project Dantak

Project Dantak is an overseas project of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under the Ministry of Defence of India.
It was established on 24 April 1961 as a result of an agreement between Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third king of Bhutan and then Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru.
It is primarily focused on developing infrastructure and providing connectivity in remote areas of Bhutan. It was tasked to construct the pioneering motorable roads in Bhutan.
It completed the road connecting Samdrup Jongkhar to Trashigang in 1968.
In the same year, Thimphu was connected to Phuentsholing by Dantak. Some other notable projects executed by the project include the construction of Paro Airport, Yonphula Airfield, Thimphu – Trashigang Highway, Telecommunication & Hydro Power Infrastructure, Sherubtse College, Kanglung and India House Estate.
The project recruits local workers from Bhutan as well as Indian workers from adjoining districts along the India-Bhutan border.

Indo-Bhutan Relationship

Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1949):

Fostered perpetual peace and friendship between India and Bhutan.
Facilitated free trade and commerce, ensuring equal justice for citizens of both nations.
Underwent renegotiation in 2007, emphasizing Bhutan’s sovereignty and eliminating the requirement to seek India’s guidance on foreign policy.

Multilateral Partnership:

Active collaboration in various multilateral forums such as SAARC, BBIN, and BIMSTEC.
Strengthening regional ties and fostering cooperative efforts on diverse fronts.

Economic Partnership:

Bilateral economic cooperation anchored in mutually beneficial hydro-power projects.
The commissioning of the 720 MW Mangdechhu in August 2019 marks a milestone.
Ongoing implementation of key hydroelectric projects, including Punatsangchhu-I (1200 MW), Punatsangchhu-II (1020 MW), and Kholongchhu HEP (600 MW).
India stands as Bhutan’s largest trading partner, contributing significantly to economic ties between the two nations.

Significance

Emphasizing the critical role of connectivity, Dantak has played a pivotal role in fostering socio-economic development and growth in Bhutan.
Dantak has consistently aligned its infrastructure initiatives in Bhutan with the visionary goals of Their Majesties and the aspirations of the local population, fostering a symbiotic relationship over the years.
In remote areas, Dantak has been instrumental in establishing essential medical and education facilities, often marking the first of their kind in these locations.
Beyond infrastructure, Dantak’s contribution extends to the culinary landscape, as the food outlets along the roads introduced Bhutanese residents to a variety of Indian delicacies, sparking a fondness for these flavors and cultivating a sweet tooth among them.

Border Roads Organisation

BRO was conceived and raised in 1960 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for coordinating the speedy development of a network of roads in the North and the North Eastern border regions of the country.
It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
It has diversified into a large spectrum of construction and development works comprising airfields, building projects, defence works and tunneling and has endeared itself to the people.