India builds strategic road in Bhutan's Haa valley near disputed border of Doklam

New Delhi: With the Doklam experience fresh in mind, India has constructed a key road in Bhutan, giving a better all-weather access to strategic Haa valley, which is just about 13 miles (21 km) from the disputed border between India and China at Doklam.

Built by the Border Roads Organisation at a cost of Rs 254 crore, the Confluence-Haa road is set to be inaugurated by Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay on August 1. Among other things, the road link would boost “military logistics,” sources said.

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi visited the Himalayan kingdom earlier this month when he was briefed about the project.

Defence sources said the critical road stretch from Wanakha to Haa has been upgraded to primary national highway standards.

“The new alignment features five newly constructed bridges, improved road geometry, and enhanced safety measures, ensuring better all-weather connectivity to the scenic Haa valley. The project, completed at a cost of Rs 254 Crore, is a significant boost to regional development, tourism, and military logistics,” said an official.

The BRO’s Project Dantak executed the project, which was fast tracked after the 73-day long stand-off at Doklam trijunction between India, China and Bhutan.

The Indian road construction agency, which has been working in Bhutan since the 1960s, is carrying out a number of other road projects to improve the connectivity in remote areas of Bhutan closer to its border.

Currently, Project Dantak is engaged in the construction and improvement of several roads across western and eastern Bhutan including key stretches like Kothakpa-Tshobaley; Nganglam-Panbang; Dewathang-Samdrup Choling; and Samrang-Jomotsangkha roads.

Ahead of the Haa valley road link’s inauguration BRO director general Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan is on an official visit to the kingdom to review the infrastructure projects. He called on King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tobgay.

Over the years, BRO’s Project Dantak built several critical infrastructure in the Himalayan nation including Paro International Airport, Dewathang Hospital, the India House Estate, Sherubtse College and Bhutan Broadcasting Services station.