Project DANTAK: BRO’s Bhutan Infrastructure Mission
Why in the news
One of India’s oldest overseas infrastructure efforts, Project DANTAK in Bhutan, held its Raising Day celebration in Thimphu, recalling the friendship treaty between the two countries.
Key facts
- Executor: Border Roads Organisation (BRO), for the Government of India, in Bhutan.
- Established: April 1961, following agreement between Bhutan’s Third King and Jawaharlal Nehru.
- Roads: more than 1,500 km, including the first motorable road of the kingdom.
- East-West Highway: over 500 km linking Trashigang (east) with Thimphu (west).
- Beyond roads: Chhukha Hydel Project support, schools, hospitals, telecom.
| Area | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Roads | 1,500 km+; first motorable road; East-West Highway |
| Aviation | Paro International Airport and Yongphula Airport |
| Social and energy | Schools, hospitals, telecom networks, hydropower such as Chhukha Hydel |
Background
- BRO: an executive force under the Ministry of Defence that builds and maintains roads in India’s border areas and in friendly neighbouring countries.
- Unique feature: Indian personnel live and work alongside Bhutanese people for decades, building personal and cultural bonds.
- East-West Highway importance: earlier, travel between east and west Bhutan often meant going down into India and back; the highway united the country internally.
Exam angle
- Parent organisation: BRO under Ministry of Defence.
- Year of start: 1961.
- Airports built: Paro and Yongphula.