Project DANTAK marks 66 years in Bhutan, underscoring India-Bhutan partnership through infrastructure
New Delhi, April 24. Project DANTAK of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) marked its 66th Raising Day in Thimphu on April 24, celebrating 65 years of continuous service in Bhutan and highlighting its enduring role in the Himalayan kingdom’s infrastructure and development journey.
Established in April 1961, Project DANTAK has grown into a symbol of India-Bhutan cooperation, shaping the country’s connectivity landscape from the construction of its first motorable road to the development of critical national infrastructure. The Raising Day celebrations featured an inter-school quiz competition in Thimphu, felicitation of personnel, and tributes to those who lost their lives in the line of duty, reflecting both professional achievement and community engagement, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence here.
Over the decades, DANTAK has constructed more than 1,500 km of roads across Bhutan, including the strategically vital East-West Highway linking Trashigang and Thimphu. It played a key role in building the Phuentsholing-Thimphu highway, as well as the country’s two major air gateways – Paro International Airport and Yongphula Airport. Its contributions extend beyond roads to bridges, hydropower facilities, telecom networks, hospitals, schools, and institutional infrastructure.
In recent years, the focus has shifted towards modernisation and capacity enhancement. Key initiatives include double-laning of critical stretches such as Confluence–Haa – with Phase I inaugurated on August 1, 2025 – and the nearly 168-km Samdrup Jongkhar-Trashigang highway, which have significantly improved travel time, safety and reliability. The project has also earned recognition for swiftly restoring connectivity after landslides and road washouts, demonstrating operational resilience in Bhutan’s challenging terrain.
DANTAK is currently engaged in several strategically important works, including road construction and upgrades in the south-eastern belt covering Nganglam-Dewathang, Samrang-Jomotsangkha and Khotakpa-Tshobaley. It is also strengthening highways along the Damchu-Chhukha axis and developing alternate alignments such as Panbang-Nganglam and Dewathang-Samdrupcholing, keeping in mind Bhutan’s developmental priorities and environmental sensitivities.
The long-standing role of Project DANTAK was also reflected during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan on November 11, 2025, when both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and friendship. DANTAK’s six-decade legacy continues to mirror that spirit of partnership, contributing to Bhutan’s socio-economic transformation while reinforcing the special ties between the two neighbours.
