Phub Dem 

Works on the restoration of Drugyel Dzong to its former glory was stopped for 28 days during the second lockdown, causing a financial burden of about Nu 2.3 million (M).

According to the project manager, Namgay Dorji, workers had to be paid during the lockdown although they did not do any work.

He, however, said the loss would not impact the progress of the project, as work percentage was ahead of budget utilisation.

Although the reconstruction work went through two lockdowns depriving the project of 44 days and Nu 3.5M loss, he said that the work would complete within the dateline.

“The project will complete within the approved budget and deadline,” he said.

The project resumed work on January 17 after the national taskforce declared Tsento gewogs as a green zone.

The project is currently working on phase V, which has some targeted works to be completed by June 2021.

Namgay Dorji said the project completed 70 percent of phase five. “The project has also completed 50 percent of phase VI, which is planned for the next financial year.”

Drawing experience from the first lockdown, he said that the project management was prepared for another lockdown.

As the project workers stay in a self-containment zone, the management stocked up sufficient essential items for those residing within the area.

The project in consultation with the Department of Culture decided to procure and store all the construction material at the site which would last for a month for possible lockdown.

Namgay Dorji said that the decision was to address the shortage of materials if the projects were allowed to work in the self-contained zone.

The project is expected to complete by December 2022.

The reconstruction works began in April 2016 after His Majesty The King’s command to celebrate the birth of His Royal Highness (HRH) The Gyalsey, to commemorate the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the country in 1616 AD and the birth year of Guru Rinpoche.