COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Transport Sector
Table 15.1 Major Highways 1990
15.4 Motor road construction began in 1959 with the assistance of Government of India. By the end of First Plan
(1961-1966), there were bus services connecting some of the Southern towns such as Phuntsholing, Samdrup
Jongkhar, Sarbhang, Samchi and Geylegphug to neighbouring Indian towns and railheads. Major roads such as
the Geylegphug-Sarbhang, Phuntsholing-Thimphu, Phuntsholing-Paro, Samdrup Jongkhar-Tashigang and
Geylegphug-Mangdichu were constructed in the First Plan. In the first two plans, an overwhelming percentage of
plan outlays were allocated to the road construction sector. Outlay in the road sector was 58.7% in First plan, 35%
in the Second Plan and 17.8% in the Third Plan.
Motor BridgesMotor Bridges
15.5 Most of the bridges were constructed as temporary structures (bailey bridges with stone masonry
substructure) and they have passed their design life. Within a few years, they will not be suitable for use by heavy
vehicles.
Druk Air, Royal Bhutan AirlinesDruk Air, Royal Bhutan Airlines
15.6 Druk-Air was formed in 1981. A new aircraft a BAe-146 was purchased in October 1988 to supplement the
2 existing Dornier aircraft. The purchase of the BAe-146 has increased the capacity of the airline as the BAe-146
has a seating capacity of 80 people while a Dornier has an 18 seat capacity. There is only one airport in Bhutan at
Paro, although there are many helipads across the country. Bhutan was linked by air to Dhaka in 1986, to New
Delhi in November 1988, to Kathmandu in April 1989 and to Bangkok in March 1989. There are flight services to
all of these places and Calcutta twice a week. Druk-Air services have facilitated the mobility of officials and
tourists.
2
Sector Length in
Km.
Simtokha - Wangdi
Wangdi -Tongsa
Tongsa -Jakar
Jakar -Mongar
Mongar -Tashigang
Wangdi -Chirang
Chirang -Sarbhang
Tala -Raidak
Tashigang-S/Jongkhar
Tongsa -Sarbhang
Thimphu -Phuntsholing
Chuzumsa -Drugyel Dzong
Chuzumsa -Haa
66
129
68
193
91
90
64
23
180
270
179
40
79
Total 1472