In News: Recently, Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Smt Ruchira Kamboj laid a floral wreath at the DANTAK Memorial in Simtokha on April 24, 2021.
About Project DANTAK
- Project DANTAK was established on April 24, 1961 as a result of the visionary leadership of His Majesty the Third King and then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru.
- The origin of Project Dantak is linked to the talks between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and the King of Bhutan during the Prime Minister’s visit to Bhutan in 1958. These talks led to the formulation of the first development plan for Bhutan covering the period 1961 to 1966, with construction of roads taking overriding priority.
- Identifying the utmost importance of connectivity in spurring the socio-economic development and growth of Bhutan.
- DANTAK was tasked to construct the pioneering motorable roads in the Kingdom.
- DANTAK completed the road connecting Samdrup Jongkhar to Trashigang in 1968. In the same year, Thimphu was connected to Phuentsholing by DANTAK.
- Many Bhutanese had also volunteered to work with DANTAK.
- Some notable projects executed by the project include the construction of Paro Airport, Yonphula Airfield, Thimphu – Trashigang Highway, Telecommunication & Hydro Power Infrastructure, Sherubtse College, Kanglung and India House Estate.
- As DANTAK celebrates six decades in Bhutan, the project reaffirms its commitment to support the march of Bhutan towards realising the dreams of His Majesty Druk Gyalpo, the plans of the Royal Government of Bhutan and aspirations of the people of the kingdom.
Source: PIB
