Project DANTAK of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated its 66th Raising Day on April 24, 2026, at Thimphu, Bhutan, marking 65 years of dedicated service in the Kingdom since its establishment in April 1961. The occasion reaffirmed the enduring commitment towards strengthening the partnership between India and Bhutan.The Raising Day celebrations are being marked by a series of events reflecting both professional excellence and community engagement. These include an inter-school quiz competition held in Thimpu, felicitation of distinguished personnel and a solemn tribute to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

From constructing Bhutan’s first motorable road to developing critical national infrastructure, Project DANTAK has evolved into a cornerstone of connectivity and development across the country and played a pivotal role in Bhutan’s socio-economic transformation. Under this Project, over 1,500 km of road has been contructed, including the strategically vital East–West Highway connecting Trashigang to Thimphu. It has been instrumental in building the Phuentsholing–Thimphu Highway, the Paro International Airport and the Yongphula Airport. It has also contributed extensively to the development of bridges, hydropower infrastructure, telecommunications networks, hospitals, schools and other vital institutional facilities across Bhutan.

In recent years, Project DANTAK has focused on modernisation and capacity enhanement including the double laning of critical road stretches such as Confluence–Haa (Phase I inaugurated on August 1, 2025) and the nearly 168-kilometre Samdrup Jongkhar–Trashigang highway, significantly improving travel time, safety and connectivity. The Project has also demonstrated exceptional resilience by restoring connectivity in record time during natural calamities, including major landslides and road washouts.

With this, the Project DANTAK continues to execute strategically important works across Bhutan including road construction and upgradation projects in the South-Eastern region of  Nganglam–Dewathang, Samrang–Jomotsangkha and Khotakpa–Tshobaley, strengthening of highways on the Damchu–Chhukha axis, bridge construction and development of alternate alignments, including Panbang–Nganglam and Dewathang–Samdrupcholing regions. These initiatives remain aligned with Bhutan’s developmental priorities and environmental sensitivities.

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, visited Bhutan on November 11, 2025, during which both nations reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and friendship. Project DANTAK’s contributions over the decades remain closely aligned with this spirit of partnership and mutual progress.

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VK/Ruchi

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