The National Council asked the government if India’s Border Roads Organisation, DANTAK, which has been operating in Bhutan since 1961, has sought permission to build numerous signboards along the national highways. NC members also asked if the signboards complied with the government rules.
Project DANTAK has built over 1,500 kilometres of road since 1961 and along these roads are ubiquitous signboards that are object of ridicule and scorn amongst the locals and tourists.
Chhukha’s NC MP, Pema Tenzin said people are saying if it was necessary to have one signboard for every kilometre. “Does it mean we have to have 176 signboards for 176 kilometres between Phuentshogling and Thimphu?”
The works and human settlement minister, Dorji Choden responded that people have the right to be concerned about the signboards and that Project DANTAK has never sought or seeks the government’s permission to build the signboards.
“DANTAK has built over 1,500 km road and maintained many others for over 50 years. These include the Phuentshogling-Thimphu Highway, Samdrup Jongkhar-Trashigang Highway, and Tsirang-Zhemgang Highway. Of the 1,500 KM, 540 are still with them,” said Lyonpo.
Lyonpo Dorji Choden also said although Project Dantak do not seek the government’s permission to put up the signboards, one incident over a highway in the East led to an enquiry from the government which Dantak rectified.
“We are working on the Road Act, which will take care of most of these issues.”
The council members also discussed the possibilities of handing over major road construction works to local contractors and engineers, which the government said will eventually happen.
