Norbugang Industrial Park nears completion

KP Sharma

Samtse—With just two months remaining until its scheduled September completion, the Norbugang Industrial Park in Samtse has reached 76 percent overall progress.

This marks acceleration in development, as progress has more than doubled from 40.5 percent recorded in April, indicating the Nu 489.9 million project is now in its final stages.

The park, along with the nearby Dhamdhum Industrial Park, is anticipated to play a crucial role in accommodating the increasing number of industrial licences being issued across the country.

According to the State of the Nation report 2025, more than 5,800 new industrial licences were granted last year. In addition, 104 medium and large-scale industries worth Nu 22.19 billion have been approved in the current fiscal year 2024-25.

Simultaneously with these approvals, the government is also advancing the necessary physical infrastructure, such as the Norbugang Industrial Park, which is designed to hold 15 industrial plots.

As of April, 10 plots had already been allotted, with four industries expected to begin operations by this month and two more by the end of the year, according to the report.

Located along the Samtse-Tendruk highway, the park is equipped with essential support infrastructure.

A major power substation, currently under construction by Bhutan Power Corporation below the highway, is being developed specifically to serve the park.

This substation, along with its associated transmission lines, requires a substantial investment of around Nu 3.5 billion. The demand for this robust power infrastructure is linked to the type of industries expected to operate in the park, particularly power-intensive units such as ferro-alloy manufacturing.

Road infrastructure work within the park has also been progressing in phases, including drainage, widening, blacktopping, and the construction of culverts and a bridge.

Although physical development is visible, especially along the highway, ongoing monsoon rains have affected road conditions, leaving sections muddy and waterlogged as rainfall continues to wash away soil and delay the work.

The roadwork is part of a larger national initiative that includes more than 361 kilometers of road upgrades and new constructions, with an overall budget of Nu 2.6 billion.

Of this, Nu 1.86 billion is being used to improve over 350 kilometers of existing roads, while the remaining budget covers about 10.8 kilometers of new road construction, including the Boxcut Bypass and the realignment of the Rinchending Bypass.

Essential services for the park, such as boundary wall construction and water supply systems, have also been tendered.

However, some of these components have experienced delays, potentially due to coordination issues and seasonal challenges.

The Dhamdhum Industrial Park, located a few kilometers before Norbugang, was inaugurated in February this year and is already operational, with 22 industries in full swing and 26 more currently under construction.