Bhutan: Preparing National Highway Expansion and Development Project

The TA will provide project preparation support to the Royal Government of Bhutan for a high-priority road project in the south region of the country from Lhamoizingka to Sarpang. The corridor will form part of the Southern East- West Highway a national highway to be funded by ADB. The TA will help improve project readiness by facilitating due diligence and developing a full-fledged feasibility study. This includes carrying out surveys; safeguard studies; economic and financial analyses; social and gender assessments, and other technical assessments required to evaluate the feasibility of the ensuing project. Climate change, gender equality, and social inclusion factors with features and measures for the elderly, women, children, and people with disabilities, will be assessed and incorporated in the design, as feasible. The TA will identify potential opportunities for regional cooperation and integration to support trade facilitation, enhance cross-border trade, employment, and development opportunities. The TA will also provide capacity building for the executing agency, Department of Surface Transport.