The construction works at the Punatsangchhu-II Project have resumed. Works recommenced on February 1st after there were no COVID positive cases from the project site for more than a week. The project remained suspended for almost two weeks after a community case was detected last month which led to lockdowns in Wangdue Phodrang and several other districts.
A project official said they are working under containment mode with strict compliance to the health safety protocols. He added most of the workers were also eager to resume working. Around 2,000 workers including foreign workers are engaged in the works.
An official from the Jai Prakash Associate Limited said the workers are transported between the worksites and their camps in the company’s buses with escorts. Jai Prakash Associates Limited is the Indian construction company constructing the dam and the powerhouse of the project. He said there are no plans to bring in any additional foreign workers as of now.
Meanwhile, around 25 foreign workers who tested positive earlier are still recovering from the infection in quarantine facilities at the project site.
The construction of the PHPA-ll started in December 2010. After missing several deadlines, it was expected to complete in December this year. However, due to lockdowns and the current situation, the project official said it could get further delayed although they are working to complete it by July next year.
Meanwhile, works at the powerhouse of Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project also resumed a few days ago.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
