Bhutan : Air Transport Connectivity Enhancement Project
The project is to improve infrastructure for the Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphula domestic airports. It aims to expand initial developments undertaken by the Government of Bhutan at these airports. The project is to strengthen safety and security, and enhance capacity, including priority needs for securing the airport perimeter; expanding terminal space, air craft parking apron, and taxiway; improving runways; and installing aeronautical communication and navigation aid equipment. These improvements are targeted to meet the requirements of current and anticipated aviation activities in the country, and help continue the record of safety. Overall, it will support the government's plan to develop a safe, reliable, and efficient air transport system connecting urban and rural centers to help overcome the current limitations of road transport and improve accessibility to less-developed regions of the country.
Project Details
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Project Officer
Vico Talledo, Rocio
Sectors Group
Request for information -
Country/Economy
Bhutan -
Modality
-
Sector
- Transport
Related Projects
Project Name | Air Transport Connectivity Enhancement Project | ||||||||
Project Number | 44239-013 | ||||||||
Country / Economy | Bhutan |
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Project Status | Active | ||||||||
Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Grant |
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Source of Funding / Amount |
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Strategic Agendas | Inclusive economic growth Regional integration |
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Drivers of Change | Governance and capacity development |
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Sector / Subsector | Transport / Air transport |
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Gender | No gender elements | ||||||||
Description | The project is to improve infrastructure for the Bumthang, Gelephu, and Yonphula domestic airports. It aims to expand initial developments undertaken by the Government of Bhutan at these airports. The project is to strengthen safety and security, and enhance capacity, including priority needs for securing the airport perimeter; expanding terminal space, air craft parking apron, and taxiway; improving runways; and installing aeronautical communication and navigation aid equipment. These improvements are targeted to meet the requirements of current and anticipated aviation activities in the country, and help continue the record of safety. Overall, it will support the government's plan to develop a safe, reliable, and efficient air transport system connecting urban and rural centers to help overcome the current limitations of road transport and improve accessibility to less-developed regions of the country. This will help facilitate greater and more equitable coverage of potential benefits from tourism growth, stimulate private sector development, and generate employment opportunities for the poor. | ||||||||
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | Paro International Airport (PIA), Bhutan's only operating airport until recently and still the only one providing international air access, is located near the capital city of Thimphu in the western region. Due to the lack of domestic air connectivity, other regions of the country - particularly in the center, south, and, east - have limited access to regional and global markets. The tourism industry, for instance, a substantial economic contributor, is much better developed in the west compared with other regions. This imbalance in accessibility - to opportunity, enterprise, markets, and services - has been an obstacle to achieving broad-based economic growth, which is one of the government's major development goals. In view of the anticipated increase in aircraft movements and passenger volume, current deficiencies must be addressed, and initial developments undertaken by the government at the three domestic airports expanded to strengthen safety and security, and enhance capacity. The project will include (i) improving air operation safety by providing required air rescue and firefighting system facilities, aeronautical communication and navigation, and runway drainage; (ii) strengthening security with an airport cordon around the perimeter; and (iii) expanding capacity for terminal space, aircraft parking apron, and taxiway. The improvements were prioritized based on development needs identified in updated master plans for the three airports, projected traffic forecasts in terms of peak hour aircraft movements and passenger volume, as well as updated assessment of current developments and priorities for air transport in the country. By improving safety, security, and capacity at the three domestic airports, the project will help ensure operation of aircrafts with adequate capacity for continued passenger traffic growth and improved service and safety. The project and its outcome is consistent with the strategic objective set out in the interim country partnership strategy, 2012-2013: to assist the government in achieving broad-based economic growth. It will enhance the country's air transport connectivity, help improve access to regional and global markets throughout the country, and support tourism growth in less-developed regions. The project is included in the Bhutan country operations business plan, 2012-2014. |
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Impact | Air transport connectivity improved |
Project Outcome | |
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Description of Outcome | Safety, security, and capacity at four domestic airports in Bumthang, Gelephu, Paro, and Yonphula improved |
Progress Toward Outcome | Outcome substantially completed; improvement of service level in progress, all outputs completed, end of defect liability period on 31 Dec 2023. |
Implementation Progress | |
Description of Project Outputs | Infrastructure at four domestic airports in Bumthang, Gelephu, Paro and Yonphula improved |
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) | Bumthang Airport: Works completed in 2015 for perimeter security fence, new access road, apron and taxiway, and car park; asphalt overlay not done due to funding shortage (significant funds allocated to Yonphula); terminal building substantially completed Gelephu Airport: All works completed in April 2015: installation of perimeter security fence, runway drainage and flood protection work, and a terminal building with basic passenger facilities; aviation security staff quarters operational; site development works completed using RGOB funds Original scope of four parking management systems completed in 10 Oct 2021; additional two systems completed on 10 Dec 2021 Yonphula Airport: All works completed by Feb 2021; removal of hills, vehicle procured, and new runway constructed; lake dredging works (desilting) completed with RGOB funds in May 2020 |
Geographical Location | Bathpalathang Airport, Gelephu Airport, Yongphulla Airport |
Safeguard Categories | |
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Environment | B |
Involuntary Resettlement | C |
Indigenous Peoples | C |
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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Environmental Aspects | As the works and installation of equipment for the project will be improvements within the boundaries of existing airport facilities already developed by the government, the anticipated environmental impacts are low. Therefore, the project is classified category B. In accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009), necessary due diligence of the environment impacts for the existing facilities previously developed by the government has been carried out. In this respect, the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) includes a section on the review of environmental impacts and mitigation measures taken during construction of the existing facilities, as well as recommendations for continued and improved actions during the implementation of additional improvements under the project. Anticipated environmental impacts include occupational health and safety issues, generation of dust and noise and drainage problems. These can be addressed during the detailed design and construction phase through appropriate design and mitigation measures recommended in the environment management plan. Typically for airport projects, the main long-term impact is the generation of noise, vibration, and air pollution during operations. In addition to complying with applicable international standards, appropriate landscaping, and greenbelt development in each of the airport area has been recommended to help minimize the impacts. DOAT needs to further strengthen overall institutional capacity, including the area of environment safeguards. While needs are assessed, DOAT Project Director will serve as the overall environment safeguard coordinator for the project. The project coordinator for each airport will serve as the site-level focal point for environment safeguards. The design and supervision consultant team will include an environment specialist for updating the EMP and monitoring contractors compliance. During implementation, training, and coordination workshops on environment safeguards and EMP implementation will be conducted for DOAT, consultants, and contractors. Annually, environmental monitoring reports will be prepared and submitted to ADB for disclosure on the ADB website, as required by the ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) for environment category B projects. As required by ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009), the IEE report has been disclosed. |
Involuntary Resettlement | The project has been reclassified as category B in accordance with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009). Acquisition of private land from one household totalling 0.67 acres encompassing 100% of the total plot size will be required for the Gelaphu subproject. One Resettlement Plan has been prepared in accordance to government and ADB policy. The affected household is entitled to a fair compensation and that they are given the option of choosing substitute land replacement or cash payment or both as compensation. In this case, the affected household has opted for land for land substitution located within the same block (geog) and of the same size. |
Indigenous Peoples | No impact on indigenous people is envisaged as there will be no physical or economic displacement. Therefore, the project is classified category C. |
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
During Project Design | Consultations with communities residing in and around the airport sites have been carried out, and the details of consultations, feedback received, requirements for further consultation and grievance redress mechanism have been included in the IEE report. |
During Project Implementation | The EA, ADB and consultants continue to hold consultations with communities around the project sites to ensure that the Project's objectives are realized. |
Business Opportunities | |
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Consulting Services | All consultants was recruited according to ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants. |
Procurement | All procurement of goods and works are being undertaken in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines. |
Responsible ADB Officer | Vico Talledo, Rocio |
Responsible ADB Department | Sectors Group |
Responsible ADB Division | Transport Sector Office (SG-TRA) |
Executing Agencies |
Ministry of Information and Communications |
Timetable | |
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Concept Clearance | 05 Nov 2010 |
Fact Finding | 27 Jan 2012 to 11 Feb 2012 |
MRM | - |
Approval | 21 Jun 2012 |
Last Review Mission | - |
Last PDS Update | 20 Dec 2023 |
Grant 0295-BHU
Milestones | |||||
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Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
Original | Revised | Actual | |||
21 Jun 2012 | 06 Aug 2012 | 20 Aug 2012 | 31 Dec 2016 | 31 Dec 2017 | 21 Dec 2018 |
Financing Plan | Grant Utilization | ||||
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Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
Project Cost | 7.60 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
ADB | 6.92 | 05 Jan 2024 | 6.92 | 0.00 | 100% |
Counterpart | 0.68 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
Cofinancing | 0.00 | 05 Jan 2024 | 6.92 | 0.00 | 100% |
Status of Covenants | ||||||
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Category | Sector | Safeguards | Social | Financial | Economic | Others |
Rating | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | - | Satisfactory |
Grant 0484-BHU
Milestones | |||||
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Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
Original | Revised | Actual | |||
29 Jun 2016 | 29 Sep 2016 | 16 Dec 2016 | 31 Dec 2020 | 31 Dec 2022 | - |
Financing Plan | Grant Utilization | ||||
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Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
Project Cost | 4.42 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
ADB | 4.00 | 05 Jan 2024 | 3.98 | 0.00 | 99% |
Counterpart | 0.42 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
Cofinancing | 0.00 | 05 Jan 2024 | 3.97 | 0.00 | 99% |
Status of Covenants | ||||||
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Category | Sector | Safeguards | Social | Financial | Economic | Others |
Rating | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | Satisfactory | - | Satisfactory |
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Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
None currently available.
Related Publications
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Tenders
Contracts Awarded
Procurement Plan
Title | Document Type | Document Date |
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Air Transport Connectivity Enhancement Project | Procurement Plans | Jul 2012 |
Air Transport Connectivity Enhancement Project - Additional Financing: Procurement Plan | Procurement Plans | Mar 2016 |