After years of planning, the Thimphu Structure Plan is now moving into phased implementation. The plan, along with the Thimphu–Paro Regional Strategy, is being implemented through infrastructure development, improvements to public spaces and drainage systems, climate-resilient projects, and the preparation and implementation of Local Area Plans.
Residents in the Thimphu and Paro region can expect to see improvements to drainage systems, along with upgrades to transport connectivity, public spaces and neighbourhood infrastructure.
“If I explain everything, it will take some time. The Thimphu and Paro Structure Plans: as we can see, we are already carrying out the planned works. Drainage systems are being cleaned, and soon you will see works being carried out in the Changlam area. Work on parks is also underway. All of these are part of the Thimphu Structure Plan. If you have been to Paro, you may have noticed that we have also started implementing the Local Area Plan,” said Chandra Bdr. Gurung, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport.
Leading the list of key prioritised projects is the Changlam Public Transport Key Corridor, budgeted at over Nu 264 M for the year, out of a total project cost of Nu 310 M. Site survey and demarcation works have already commenced for the corridor.
Design and implementation work on Norzin Lam will receive Nu 253 M this year, out of a total project cost of Nu 300 M. The Norzin Lam mobility improvement project is currently at the detailed design stage.
Internal roads across Thimphu Thromde have been allocated the full Nu 100 M budgeted for the project.
The Thimphu Main Road stretch from the Babesa Living Sculpture to the CSI Junction in Changzamtog carries the single largest total project cost, at Nu 750 M, though only Nu 10 M is allocated for this fiscal year. The project is currently under tendering.
Concept design work for the Lungtenzampa Bridge has been allocated Nu 3 M, out of a total estimated cost of Nu 150 M. The concept design has reached the inception stage.
The extended KaJa Throm is under construction and is targeted for completion in August 2028. The project will see Nu 250 M allocated this year, out of a total cost of nearly Nu 465 M.
Kabesa infrastructure development has been allocated Nu 196 M, out of a total project cost of Nu 200 M.
The Government Office Complex remains the Thromde’s largest listed project by total cost, at Nu 1.6bn. So far, it has received about Nu 123 M this fiscal year.
The City Center Park and Zangdopelri Reconstruction project has been allocated Nu 120 M, out of a total cost of Nu 150 M Twenty-five per cent of the works have been completed.
Tshalumarphay Park will receive Nu 75 M this year, out of a total project cost of Nu 210 M. Twenty per cent of the work is currently in progress, with river protection, pond, earth mound, and water-supply works already completed.
The Clock Tower Square redevelopment has been allocated close to Nu 58 M, out of a total cost of Nu 85 M, and is currently under tendering.
“One Thimphu: Bhutan’s Heart Project” has received Nu 50 M, out of a total project cost of Nu 85 M.
Detailed designs for Babena Neighbourhood Park and Kabesa Valley Park have also been completed and are under review. Babena Neighbourhood Park has been allocated Nu 4.5 M, out of a total cost of Nu 25 M.
Two flagship park projects have already been completed. The Thimphu Ecological Park, with a total cost of Nu 47 M, is fully complete, while Olakha Park, budgeted at Nu 33 M, stands at 99 per cent completion.
Thimphu stormwater drains have received the full Nu 30 M allocated for the year. Through various funding sources, the stormwater drainage system in the city centre was upgraded during the previous fiscal year, with additional drains to be taken up this year. The ongoing drainage works are approximately 30 per cent complete.
The Paro Stormwater Master Plan has been allocated Nu 5 M, out of a total cost of Nu 6.68 M. The plan is approximately 50 per cent complete, with its interim report currently being finalised.
The Wangchhu River Corridor Enhancement Project has received Nu 16.25 M this year, out of a total cost of Nu 208 M-one of several larger projects still in earlier stages of implementation.
Debsi infrastructure development has been allocated its full budgeted amount of Nu 70 M for the year.
Debsi Bridge construction will receive Nu 55 M, out of a total project cost of Nu 75 M. The bridge is under construction, with foundation works currently being implemented, while Debsi Local Area Plan Road development has begun with preliminary site assessment and surveys.
The Tshalumarphay Bridge has been allocated Nu 50 M, out of a total cost of Nu 100 M, and is currently under the tendering process.
Preparation of Local Area Plans across the region has received Nu 61.5 M, out of a total budget of Nu 165 M.
And in Paro, implementation of Local Area Plans has been allocated Nu 50 M, out of a total cost of Nu 100 M.
In the wider Thimphu–Paro region, Local Area Plans for Kabesa, Shaba, Bondey, Lamgong, and Tshondue have been completed and are ready for demarcation. Plans for Shaba Drugyeldhinkhag and Ngabiphu are at the final stage of plan formation. To enable this planning work, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has allocated Nu 167 M under the 13th Five Year Plan.
Demarcation for Kabesa is targeted for completion by the 31st of October, 2026, while the remaining listed demarcation works are targeted for completion by the 28th of February, 2027.
For implementation, a separate Nu 100 M has been allocated for Local Area Plans in Paro, while dedicated budgets of Nu 200 M for Kabesa, Nu 70 M for Debsi, and Nu 85 M for Ngabiphu have also been set aside.
Overall, these investments aim to transform the National Capital Region in line with the Thimphu–Paro Regional Strategy, the Thimphu Structure Plan and the Paro Valley Development Plan. The focus is on planned development, better use of land and infrastructure, improved connectivity and public spaces, and creating safer and more liveable communities.
Sonam Yuden
