Works worth Nu 252 million (M) of the Nu 300M allocated for the Dhamdum Industrial Park (DIP) in Samtse have been awarded to date since the park’s construction began in August 2016.

The first two projects of constructing a four-kilometer internal road and river training on 800 metre of Dhamdum river embankment have been completed.

Project engineer at the DIP site, Sonam Wangchuk, said, the quality of first two projects were commendable. “There have been no problems,” he said.

River training refers to structural measures that are taken to improve a river and its banks in the prevention and mitigation of flash floods.

However, two concrete panels of the river-training project were scoured this summer. “The problem is not a serious one and could be solved when the second phase of the river-training works start,” he said.

The four km road, including storm drainage has not encountered problems. More than Nu 116M was pumped in to complete these two packages of works.

The second phase river-training project is also awarded to the same construction firm, Ms SKD Construction private limited based in Samtse. About 1,040 metre stretch would be trained in this phase at a cost of Nu 60.62M.

But works for this phase is temporarily at halt due to the changes in the design considering the problem in the first phase.

Works for the water supply has also been tendered and this package of the DIP is scheduled to complete by March next year. “Works have already begun,” project engineer Sonam Wangchuk said, adding that the work, which was on halt due to the monsoon resumed on September 12. About Nu 40.91M has been allotted for this package.

Construction of three boundary walls and park building is also ongoing. Another package for security guard colony has been awarded at Nu 12.48M.

Internal street lights along the road, security gate, and public toilets are the remaining works left. Under the Project Tied Assistance, the Government of India (GoI) is funding Nu 300M for the work in this Plan.

There are two more plots to develop. In total, a funding of more than Nu 2 billion is required. The proposal for the next plan funding has been submitted to the Gross National Happiness Commission (GNHC), which shall be allotted in the next plan.

Meanwhile, there are 77 plots available in the 349-acre park for companies. The plots vary in size from 0.5 to 2.2 acres, which would be applicable depending on the size and type of companies. Only small and medium agro, service, and minerals-based projects, and cottage industries would be allowed to operate.

Rajesh Rai | Samtse