The construction of motorable bridge over Mao River in Gelephu was not found feasible. This was revealed at the official Development Assistance JICA seminar, which was held in the capital today. The government initially proposed US$ 40 million last July.
Presenting the project status the project formulation advisor of JICA, Kunihiro Shiraishi, said they are aware of the need of a bridge but there are things that have to be looked into properly, including the huge cost involved.
“When the proposal was made it was initially made that the bridge is going to be the part of south-east highway. However, the RGoB has made a decision that the road should not go through the Royal Manas Park so it has become quite difficult for us to make a clear justification of the economic enhancement by constructing that bridge,” he said, adding that the proposal came under the grant aid scheme. “So from our perspective if we try to maintain the quality of the bridge the cost we estimated was double of what was proposed by the RGoB.”
However, he said they are not trying to neglect the community but have other connectivity plans in the pipeline. They said they will also support the rice commercialisation project in Taklai area. Officials from the Gross National Happiness Commission said the construction of the bridge will be once again looked into and will be submitted again.
The Director of the South Asia Division, Katsue Matsumoto, said they had been helping the agriculture sector for the past 20 years. “So now we would also like to focus on basic amenities in the urban areas. Like now in Thimphu the population is increasing so we will assist in constructing roads, water supply, waste management, and many more.”
JICA targets major projects such as improvement of social service, agricultural and rural development, balanced infrastructure development and improvement of government functions. The Chief Resident Representative of JICA, Tom Nitta, said the seminar will help educate the officials on the JICA activities.
Currently, Bhutan is implementing three grant aid projects, seven technical co-operation projects and two rural electrification projects with funds from the Japanese government. Meanwhile, JICA is also preparing for the 11th five year plan projects.
