The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Paro in the picture too
The Thimphu Structure Plan (TSP) has moved from the planning stage into phased implementation, with the government undertaking a range of infrastructure projects focused on transport connectivity, public spaces, drainage and neighborhood development.
Responding to questions on the status of the TSP and the Thimphu–Paro Regional Strategy during the 31st Meet-the-Press session, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Lyonpo Chandra Bdr Gurung, said implementation was progressing through infrastructure development, public-space improvements, drainage works and Local Area Plan (LAP) preparation and implementation.
The TSP is guided by the vision of “Good Growth in the Right Places”, which seeks to direct development towards areas where infrastructure already exists while promoting compact urban development and reducing urban sprawl.
The plan also seeks to protect natural, cultural and heritage assets, improve walkability and public spaces, and reduce disaster risks associated with construction on steep slopes.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT), the plan is intended to reduce fragmentation of land, minimize infrastructure requirements on the outskirts and encourage greater density within the city.
It is also expected to improve the quality of urban amenities and create a more cohesive city through defined blocks, attractive streets, walkable areas and distinct areas reflecting Bhutanese architectural identity.
Under the current phase, interventions include green infrastructure and public spaces, transport and mobility improvements, LAPs, climate-resilient infrastructure and the extension of KaJa Throm, among other priority developments.
The priority projects, resource allocations and their annual budget for FY 2026-2027 are as follows.
The Changlam Public Transport key corridor has been allocated a budget of Nu 264.50 million (mn) with the total budget allocation set at Nu 310 mn, the Norzin lam design and implementation has been allocated a budget of Nu 253 mn with total budget of Nu 300 mn and extended KaJa Throm construction Nu 250 mn with total budget Nu 464.7 mn.
Additionally, Kabesa infrastructure development has been allocated with a budget of Nu 196 mn of total budget allocation set at Nu 200 mn, internal roads for Thimphu Thromde with allocated budget of Nu 100 mn which has been utilized, the Tshalumarphay Park has been allocated a budget of Nu 75 mn from total budget of Nu 210 mn, the Debsi infrastructure development has been allocated a budget of Nu 70 mn which was utilized, the preparation of LAPs has been allocated a budget of Nu 61.50 mn from the total of Nu 165 mn and the Clock Tower Square development has been allocated a budget of Nu 57.97 mn from the total budget of Nu 85 mn.
Furthermore, the Debsi bridge construction project has been allocated a budget of Nu 55 mn from the total of Nu 75 mn, Tshalumarphay bridge has been allocated a budget of Nu 50 mn from the total budget of Nu 100 mn, implementation of LAPs in Paro has been allocated a budget of Nu 50 mn from the total Nu 100 mn and One Thimphu, a Bhutan’s Heart Project has been allocated a budget of Nu 50 mn from the total of Nu 85 mn.
Thimphu stormwater drains project has been allocated a budget of Nu 30 mn, Wangchhu River Corridor Enhancement Project has been allocated a budget of Nu 16.25 mn from the total budget of Nu 208 mn, Thimphu main road from Babesa living sculpture to CSI junction in Changzamtog has been allocated a budget of Nu 10 mn from total of Nu 750 mn and Paro stormwater master plan has been allocated a budget of Nu 5 mn from the total of Nu 6.68 mn.
The Babena neighborhood park has been allocated a budget of Nu 4.50 mn from the total of Nu 25 mn, Lungtenzampa bridge concept design has been allocated a budget of Nu 3 mn from the total of Nu 150 mn, Thimphu ecological park project has been allocated a budget of Nu 47 mn with the project completed, Olakha Park a project has been allocated a budget of Nu 33 mn, government office complex has been allocated a budget of Nu 122.606 mn from the total budget of Nu 1.63 billion, and for City Center Park and Zangdopelri reconstruction a budget of Nu 120 mn has been allocated from the total of Nu 150 mn.
Several projects are already at different stages of implementation.
Chang Yul Park has been completed, while the Thimphu Ecological Park and Olakha Park are each about 99 percent complete.
Tshalumaphey Park is about 20 percent complete, with river protection works, a pond, earth mound and water-supply work completed.
The City Centre Park and Zangdopelri reconstruction are each about 25 percent complete.
The redevelopment of Clock Tower Square is currently under tendering, while detailed designs for Babena Neighbourhood Park and Kabesa Valley Park have been completed and are under review.
The plan preparation for improvement of the Chhubachhu Stream has also been completed.
Among the major ongoing infrastructure projects, the extended KaJa Throm is under construction and has reached around 25 percent physical progress. The project is targeted for completion by August 2028.
The Debsi bridge is also under construction, with foundation works underway. Preliminary site assessments and surveys have begun for road development under the Debsi LAP.
The Tshalumaphey bridge is under tendering, while site survey and demarcation have started for the Changlam Public Transport Key Corridor.
The Thimphu Main Road from the Babesa Living Sculpture to the CSI Junction in Changzamtog is under tendering. The Norzin Lam mobility improvement project is at the detailed design stage, while the Lungtenzampa bridge is at the inception stage of concept design.
On drainage, the city centre stormwater drainage system was upgraded during the previous fiscal year through various funding sources, while additional drainage works are being undertaken this fiscal year. The ongoing stormwater drainage works in Thimphu are around 30 percent complete.
The MoIT said the implementation of the TSP and the Thimphu–Paro Regional Strategy is also being pursued through LAPs in the wider Thimphu–Paro region.
LAPs for Kabesa, Shaba, Bondey, Lamgong and Tshondue have been completed and are ready for demarcation. LAPs for Shaba Drugyeldhinkhag and Ngabiphu are at the final stage of plan formation.
The MoIT has allocated Nu 167 mn under the 13th Five-Year Plan to enable LAP preparation.
Demarcation of Kabesa is targeted for completion by 31st October this year, while the remaining listed demarcation works are targeted for completion by 28th February next year.
A separate Nu 100 mn has been allocated for implementation of LAPs in Paro. Dedicated allocations include Nu 200 mn for Kabesa, Nu 70 mn for Debsi and Nu 85 mn for Ngabiphu.
The Paro Stormwater Master Plan is around 50 percent complete, with its interim report being finalised.
The MoIT said the various investments form part of the broader transformation of the National Capital Region, guided by the Thimphu–Paro Regional Strategy, TSP and Paro Valley Development Plan.
The overall objective is to guide urban development towards suitable areas, ensure more efficient use of land and infrastructure, improve connectivity and public spaces, and create safer, more accessible and livable communities.
