India has handed over Rs 290 crore (Nu 2.90 billion) to Bhutan for various development projects under the Himalayan nation’s 13th Five Year Plan, the Indian Embassy in Thimphu said on Tuesday.
The financial assistance was provided during the 19th Monthly Coordination Meeting held in Thimphu between officials of the Indian Embassy and the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) to review the progress of India-supported projects and discuss their future implementation.
According to the Indian Embassy, the Indian side handed over cheques worth Rs 290 crore to Bhutan’s Ministry of Finance as part of New Delhi’s commitment to supporting the country’s development priorities under the 13th Five Year Plan.
The funding covers several projects across education, infrastructure, healthcare, digital connectivity, agriculture and institutional development.
Key initiatives include the development of modern infrastructure at colleges affiliated with the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), human resource development and skilling programmes, and professional development and exchange initiatives for teachers, education leaders and students.
The assistance also supports the second phase of chain-link fencing to protect agricultural crops, redevelopment of the Phuentsholing Sports Association (PSA) Ground under the Phuentsholing Thromde Enhancement Programme (PTEP), and establishment of the National Weather and Flood Warning Centre (NWFWC) and scientific facilities in Thimphu.
Other projects include the introduction of digital technologies for teaching and learning across eight RUB colleges and the Digital Skilling Programme under the Digital Drukyul initiative.
The Digital Skilling Programme has been allocated Rs 8.83 crore (Nu 88.3 million) and is expected to benefit around one million citizens across Bhutan’s gewogs, or local administrative units.
The funding also covers infrastructure development at the Royal Institute of Management in Thimphu, construction of the Thimphu District Court and renovation of Gelephu General Hospital.
During the meeting, officials recalled the fifth Plan Talks held on July 30 under the leadership of the Foreign Secretaries of India and Bhutan, as well as discussions during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Bhutan on September 16-17.
Both sides reviewed the implementation of ongoing projects supported by the Indian government and expressed appreciation for the progress made under Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan.
Among the major infrastructure projects reviewed was the reconstruction of existing highway bridges, including 11 new bridges currently under construction, along with the development and upgrading of 37 central and cluster schools.
The meeting also assessed plans to procure 100 electric cars for official use and 45 electric buses for public transport, as well as the construction of new government offices for all ministries at two locations in Thimphu.
Officials further reviewed India-supported renewable energy initiatives, including solar and wind energy systems at educational institutions.
Progress on the Multi-Disciplinary Super Speciality Hospital (MDSSH) project was also discussed. The initiative includes a 200-bed cancer hospital and a 430-bed inpatient and outpatient facility at the existing Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) and Thimphu General Hospital, following the successful commissioning of the MDSSH.
The meeting reaffirmed continued cooperation and coordination between India and Bhutan in implementing development projects under the 13th Five Year Plan.
(IANS Inputs)
