After years of delays due to geological challenges, construction of the Punatsangchhu-I Dam is set to resume by June this year. Meanwhile, the Punatsangchhu-II project, which faced delays due to leakage issues, commissioned two of its six units last December. The energy and natural resources minister shared the update during a discussion with BBS yesterday.
Construction of the Punatsangchhu-I Dam has been on halt since 2019 due to geological issues. After thorough safety and durability assessments, reconstruction is expected to begin by mid of this year.
“It’s too soon to say that it will be completed during our tenure but we plan to start it by this year itself. After meetings and discussions, we plan to start by June this year,” said Gem Tshering, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
The minister added that major components of the dam’s infrastructure are complete.
Meanwhile, the Punatsangchhu-II has been delayed due to leakage and seepage issues during false ceiling construction at the site. The project was set for commissioning last August.
The minister added that the project is funded 70 per cent through a loan and 30 per cent as a grant from the Government of India. While some sections are complete, the work is still ongoing.
“During the work, one of the obstacles was the erosion inside the site and things didn’t go well. However, we managed to start the project and were able to inaugurate two units as of December last year.”
Both Punatsangchhu projects are a joint effort between Bhutan and the Government of India.
Jamyang Loday
Edited by Sonam Pem
