YK Poudel

The government will implement 283 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) worth Nu 4.172 billion in the 13th Plan.

These projects aim at enhancing accessibility, creating economic opportunities,    improving livelihoods, and strengthening food security.

The first Bhutan-India meeting on HICDP or the Small Development Projects (SDP) was held yesterday. Representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MoFAET) and the Embassy of India attended the committee meeting and project signing.

The Government of India has committed an assistance of Nu 100 billion in the 13th Plan, of which 10 billion has been earmarked for HICDPs.

In the 12th Plan, the government implemented about 524 HICDPs worth Nu 8.5 billion.

With short gestation periods, HICDPs help address key areas such as drinking water supply, irrigation, rural road connectivity, agricultural infrastructure, flood protection, tourism promotion, township development, and waste management, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

Under the first phase, Nu 463.71 million has been allocated for 16 projects across three thromdes.

Thimphu Thromde will implement five projects worth Nu 151.21 million, Phuentsholing Thromde will undertake six projects totaling Nu 152.5 million, and Samdrupjongkhar Thromde will execute five projects worth Nu 160 million.

The director of the Department of Bilateral Affairs, MoFAET, Pema Tshomo, said that the projects were proposed in consultation with the local government, and their needs and priorities. “The resources are channeled towards the communities particularly in areas that have direct impacts on the day-to-day lives of the people,” she said.

The proposals underwent rigorous reviews by various committees before the cabinet approval.