The Bhutanese Leading the way.
As part of a comprehensive infrastructure strategy, the government has approved a budget of Nu 584.115 million (mn) for the construction, maintenance, and emergency preparedness of bridges across the nation for the 2026–2027 financial year.
Managed by the Department of Surface Transport under the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, this investment aims to modernize aging structures, ensure rapid disaster response, and strengthen the reliability of key national transport routes.
The government is prioritizing the replacement and reconstruction of major bridges on national highways, emphasizing permanent, high-capacity structures. Among the primary allocations is Nu 63.984 mn for constructing the Rewan, Karmashangshong, and Rongman bridges on the Gangola–Lhuentse Secondary National Highway. In the Trongsa region, Nu 56 mn has been earmarked for the Gektong Zam on the Nangar–Ura Primary National Highway.
Other significant regional projects include Nu 54.300 mn for a new permanent RCC bridge at Tsangchuthama in Samdrupjongkhar and Nu 50 mn for the Singyechu Bridge along the Rinchening–Pasakha–Manitar highway. The Zhemgang region will see the development of the Chhaplaychhu Bridge (Nu 48.202 mn) and the Golipong Bridge (Nu 38.560 mn), while the Lobeysa region received Nu 34 mn to reconstruct the Churalum bridge connecting Damji and Gasa. Additionally, Samtse will benefit from twin bridge projects at Chumpathang and Kuchidiana, receiving Nu 40 mn each.
A core pillar of this year’s budget is a central allocation of Nu 70 mn to procure and replace emergency Bailey bridge stocks. This measure ensures the department can respond swiftly to structural failures caused by natural disasters.
To extend the lifespan of existing bridges, critical restrengthening works are funded, including Nu 16.325 mn for the Chamkharchu Bailey bridge and Nu 11.498 mn for the Taktshang access road bridge. Routine protective maintenance is also scheduled, with funds allocated for repainting the Amochu Bridge (Nu 3.118 mn) and the Panbang Zam (Nu 2.500 mn).
The department is investing in engineering expertise and planning to ensure high-quality delivery. This includes Nu 3.228 mn to develop bridge training guidelines with the JICA, Nu 3 mn for a feasibility study on the Tangchu Bridge, and Nu 2.290 mn to hire a structural consultant for southern highway projects.
