The ongoing reconstruction works of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is progressing well as per the plan. With more than 70 per cent of the works completed, the project is expected to complete on its target year of 2022.
At present, the project is prioritising on the construction of a service tunnel through the courtyards of the dzong. About 50-metre long concrete service tunnel construction in the second courtyard is underway. Although the construction works of the tunnel are taking time, project officials say, it will not hamper their completion target.
The tunnel in the second courtyard is expected to be completed within one and a half months. Once the construction of the ongoing service tunnel is complete, workers will continue the construction of a raft concrete foundation over the service tunnel.
Likewise, another 100-metre long service tunnel will be constructed underneath the first courtyard till the main entrance after the completion of Drasha and Dukhang construction.
“We have several reasons to construct these service tunnels underneath the dzong. The services include water supply, telephone cables, electricity, internet and safety tank pipes. All cables will run through this tunnel. Moreover, it will also benefit the people to pass through during the maintenance works in future,” Dorji, the Project Engineer, said.
“We have completed the Utse Construction in the third courtyard so far. Likewise, we have also completed the construction of the dzongkhag administration block in the first courtyard. Now, we are working on the last phase in the second courtyard,” Kinley Wangchuk, the Project Director, said.
More than 300 Bhutanese workers are working at the dzong construction site. The project officials say they also receive volunteers to work at the site during weekends and holidays.
So far, of the Nu 1bn fund from the Indian Government for the reconstruction works, around Nu 645 M has been spent. The dzong reconstruction work was begun in January 2014.
The 340-year Wangdue Phodrang Dzong was completely destroyed by a fire accident on June 24, 2012.
Changa Dorji
