Dechen Dolkar

The government will not be able to carry out infrastructure projects in the financial year (FY) 2022-23 which were deferred due to the reprioritisation of 12th FYP last year due to time and budget constraints.

The government last year deferred several national infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges.

During the question hour at National Assembly yesterday, MP Lungten Namgyel from Nanong-Shumar questioned the Prime Minister on the status of those projects.

Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said that the government had to defer the projects that will not boost the economy in the country.

Lyonchhen said that since all the construction projects are dependent on Indians, the government decided to focus on projects that does not require labour import.

“Government deferred constructions of government offices for the budget of Nu 1.5B in 12th plan,” Lyonchhen said.

It includes the construction of the ministry of foreign affairs, education ministry, and agriculture and forest ministry offices.

Lyonchhen mentions that in some dzongkhags there is a need to construct a court and some offices, walls and gates. “Each will cost a minimum of Nu 500,000 to Nu 600,000.”

Lyonchhen said that the government also cancelled in-country training and construction of highways.

However, Lyoncheen said: “If the projects are mentioned in the budget report for FY 2022-23, they will be constructed.”

The capital expenditure was spent in the construction of roads, drinking water supply and irrigation channels. The government has to spend an additional Nu 500M.  Currently, about 130 projects are underway.

The government also spent on the farm roads for granular sub-base (GSB).

Lyonchhen mentioned that out of 12,000km farm roads in the country, around 9000km need base course which will cost around Nu 16B.

Phase one of GSB has been completed with the budget of Nu 2.5B; in some gewogs, phase two has started and it would cost around Nu 3B.

“Government is planning to complete the second phase GSB within one and a half years,” Lyonchhen said.

Lyonchhen said that money was also spent on the construction of a quarantine centre at the border areas to accommodate more than 3,000 people at the cost of around Nu 2.5B.

The government also constructed more than 15km of a wall at the border.