Project Dantak
{{Short description|Military roads engineering project}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Dantak
| image =
| caption =
| country = {{IND}}{{BHU}}
| type = Army, Engineering
| role = Construction and maintenance of infrastructure in Bhutan and adjoining Indian Districts
| size = 1200+ personnel (Indian Officials)
| command_structure = Indian Armed Forces, Border Roads Organisation, Ministry of Defence{{Cite web|title=Other Organisation {{!}} Department Of Defence|url=https://www.mod.gov.in/dod/servicesheadquarters/other_organisation|access-date=2021-10-17|website=www.mod.gov.in}}
| garrison = Simtokha, Thimphu, Bhutan
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| motto = Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam{{Cite web|title=Border Roads Organisation|url=http://www.bro.nic.in/index2.asp?sublinkid=289|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921085952/http://www.bro.nic.in/index2.asp?sublinkid=289|archive-date=2010-09-21|website=www.bro.nic.in}}
| anniversaries = BRO Day: 7 May
Raising Day: 24 April
| website = {{url|http://bro.gov.in/|bro.gov.in}}
| commander1 = Lt. Gen.
| commander1_label = Director General
| commander2 = Brigadier Rohit Gupta {{Cite web|title=pm of bhutan welcomes the new Chief engineer of dantak |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C86mnfOPtLp/?igsh=bnRvN2k0bTZyOGZ6 }}
| commander2_label = Chief Engineer
| start_date = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1961|04|24}}
}}
Dantak, also known as Project DANTAK, is an overseas project of the Border Roads Organisation under the Ministry of Defence of India. Project DANTAK was established on 24 April 1961 as a result of an agreement between Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third king of Bhutan and then Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru.{{Cite web|title=Treaty or Perpetual Peace and Friendship|url=https://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/5242/treaty+or+perpetual+p|access-date=2021-10-16|website=mea.gov.in}} Colonel T.V. Jaganathan was appointed as the first Chief Engineer of DANTAK.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-27|title=Project Dantak|url=https://www.insightsonindia.com/2021/04/27/project-dantak/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=INSIGHTSIAS|language=en-US}} The project is involved in identifying the most important aspects of connectivity and in spurring the socio-economic development and growth of Bhutan.{{Cite web|title=BRO's project DANTAK completes 60 years in Bhutan|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/bros-project-dantak-completes-60-years-in-bhutan20210426223747/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=ANI News|language=en}} It is tasked to construct and maintain roads suitable for motorised transportation in Bhutan{{Cite web|title=National Assembly of Bhutan|url=https://www.nab.gov.bt/en/media/view_news_detail/779|access-date=2021-10-17|website=nab.gov.bt}} and was established under the provision of the Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1949.{{Cite web|title=Project DANTAK completes 60 years in Bhutan|url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1714170|access-date=2021-10-16|website=pib.gov.in}}{{Cite web|title=Project DANTAK reports one percent progress a month on projects|url=https://kuenselonline.com/project-dantak-reports-one-percent-progress-a-month-on-projects/ |author=Yangchen C Rinzin |access-date=2021-10-17|website=Kuensel Online}}{{Cite web|title=Project Dantak|url=https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/project-dantak|access-date=2021-10-16|website=Drishti IAS|language=en}}
Works and involvement
The project also constructs infrastructure in adjoining Indian districts, some of the important ones include Sherbathang–Nathu La road, Gangtok–Sherbathang road and Sevoke–Gangtok road.{{Cite web|title=India's Border Roads Organisation Completes Strategic Road In Bhutan|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indias-border-roads-organisation-completes-strategic-road-in-bhutan-1887777|access-date=2021-10-16|website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite web|title=Chhukha-Damchhu highway would be operational by the end of 2015|url=https://thebhutanese.bt/chhukha-damchhu-highway-would-be-operational-by-the-end-of-2015/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=The Bhutanese|language=en-US}}
The medical and education facilities established by DANTAK in outlying areas were the first in those regions. The Takthi Canteen, commonly known as the DANTAK canteen midway between Phuentsholing and Thimphu is a major stop for travelers.{{Cite web|date=2018-12-07|title=Dosa is the new entry|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/us/articles/features/this-is-how-bhutans-dantak-canteen-is-building-bonds-between-two-countries-with-flavours/photostory/66987169.cms?picid=66987212|access-date=2021-10-16|website=The Times of India}}{{Cite web|date=2018-12-05|title=Jalebi, Dosa & Samosa: How 'Dantak' Is Strengthening India's Friendship with Bhutan|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/166014/india-bhutan-bro-dantak-canteen-diplomacy-news/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=The Better India|language=en}}
The project recruits local workers from Bhutan as well as Indian workers from adjoining districts like Jaigaon, Alipurduar and other parts of Eastern and North-Eastern India under a basic monthly wage. It posts officials from India for the supervision of work.{{Cite web|title=Project Dantak finds almost no local workers to fill in vacancies|url=https://thebhutanese.bt/project-dantak-finds-almost-no-local-workers-to-fill-in-vacancies/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=The Bhutanese|language=en-US}}
In 2022, Dantak resurfaced {{convert|4.5|km|mi}} of the Phuentsholing-Thimphu Road with shredded plastic as part of a special campaign to conduct trials of using recycled plastic in road construction.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-27 |title=Shredded plastic paves the way on India's borders, BRO carries out trials on roads |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/india-bhutan-use-plastic-to-build-border-roads-9399911.html |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en}}
Controversies and incidents
=Tricolour themed reflectors=
The Bhutanese Government said that DANTAK has installed Indian tricolour themed raised pavement marker or reflectors on the highway railings. After DANTAK confirmed their presence, those reflectors were immediately replaced. Later, the Chief Engineer of DANTAK stated that no tricolour themed reflectors were sanctioned to be installed and ground labourers had installed those reflectors enthusiastically.{{Cite web|title=Dantak replaces ‘tri-color’ reflectors from road safety barriers|url=https://thebhutanese.bt/dantak-replaces-tri-color-reflectors-from-road-safety-barriers/|access-date=2021-10-16|website=The Bhutanese|language=en-US}}
=Wangchhu bridge collapse=
A 204 metres long bridge in Haa along the Damchu-Haa road{{Cite web|title=Wangchu bridge collapses: three dead, six missing|url=https://kuenselonline.com/wangchu-bridge-collapses-three-dead-six-missing/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Kuensel Online}} collapsed in February 2021, leaving 3 workers dead and 6 missing. The bridge was pending load testing when the incident happened.{{Cite web|title=Load Testing of Bridges: Current Practice and Diagnostic Load Testing|url=https://www.routledge.com/Load-Testing-of-Bridges-Current-Practice-and-Diagnostic-Load-Testing/Lantsoght/p/book/9780367210823|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Routledge & CRC Press|language=en}} The bridge was handed over to Project DANTAK by the contractor. Rescue operations were initiated but were soon ceased due to low visibility and risk from the fragile structures.{{Cite web|title=Wangchhu bridge tragedy: An account of an eyewitness|url=https://kuenselonline.com/wangchhu-bridge-tragedy-an-account-of-an-eyewitness/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Kuensel Online}}{{Cite web|title=New Damchu-Haa highway bridge collapses|url=https://kuenselonline.com/new-damchu-haa-highway-bridge-collapses/|access-date=2021-10-17|website=Kuensel Online}}