The pandemic continues to impact construction projects in the country. Likewise, the construction of the much-awaited 150-unit residential colony for Gelephu Central Regional Hospital staff will be delayed by five months. It was scheduled to complete in September this year.
The National Pension and Provident Fund started the construction of the colony in January 2020. But the border closure has hindered the supply chain of raw materials and delayed the construction amid the pandemic. The residential colony is located some 300 meters away from the Regional Central hospital under Gelephu Thromde.
“We are allowed to procure river sand and cement. But it’s difficult to have access to finishing items as we have to procure from India. And there’s no other alternative,” said Dipen Baraily, Project Manager, NTT Construction Pvt. Ltd.
He added that 14 workers from the Build Bhutan Project are helping about 35 Indian workers to complete the construction.
“For masons, we have to Nu 750 to 800. Similarly, for labourers, we have to pay Nu 500 to 600. Before we used to pay Nu 400 to 450 Ngultrum for labourers and masons, it used to be Nu 500 to 600,” added the Project Manager.
The residential colony will be prioritised for medical staff and health care staff providing emergency services. There are more than 300 staff in the hospital. The 150-unit residential colony is being constructed at a cost of Nu 113 M.
Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Sonam Pem
