Bhutan : Secondary Towns Urban Development Project
The Secondary Towns Urban Development Project will improve water supply in three secondary towns of Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang, and Trashigang; improve sewerage in Samdrup Jongkhar; and develop drainage and road infrastructure in Sarpang''s new satellite town. The project will support the strengthening of institutional capacity for the management and operation and maintenance (O&M) of municipal infrastructure assets and develop water tariff guidelines.
Project Details
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Project Officer
Zam, Sonam
South Asia Department
Request for information -
Country/Economy
Bhutan -
Modality
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Sector
- Water and other urban infrastructure and services
Related Projects
Project Name | Secondary Towns Urban Development Project | ||||
Project Number | 42229-016 | ||||
Country / Economy | Bhutan |
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Project Status | Active | ||||
Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Loan |
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Source of Funding / Amount |
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Strategic Agendas | Environmentally sustainable growth Inclusive economic growth |
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Drivers of Change | Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Governance and capacity development |
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Sector / Subsector | Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Other urban services - Urban flood protection - Urban policy, institutional and capacity development - Urban sewerage - Urban water supply |
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Gender | Effective gender mainstreaming | ||||
Description | The Secondary Towns Urban Development Project will improve water supply in three secondary towns of Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang, and Trashigang; improve sewerage in Samdrup Jongkhar; and develop drainage and road infrastructure in Sarpang''s new satellite town. The project will support the strengthening of institutional capacity for the management and operation and maintenance (O&M) of municipal infrastructure assets and develop water tariff guidelines. | ||||
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | The growth of Bhutan''s secondary towns is constrained by deficiencies in infrastructure and basic urban services resulting from inadequate urban planning, weak urban institutions and municipal finances, limited budgetary support, and limited local capabilities for urban infrastructure development. Water supply service in majority of secondary towns is intermittent for 2-12 hours daily. Without a continuous water supply, it is difficult to assess nonrevenue water, but estimates suggest the ranges to be 30%70%. Water tariffs cover only about 20% of the O&M costs of water supply. Less than half of the secondary towns have a piped sewerage system. The government is concerned about this unbalanced urbanization. To enable balanced and equitable growth, the government''s strategy for urban development aims to foster secondary towns into regional growth centers by developing trade, transport, logistics, and manufacturing. Medium-scale industries are being established along the regional centers in southern Bhutan that border India, including Samdrup Jongkhar and Sarpang, both of which are secondary towns identified as growth centers. The secondary towns need substantial urban infrastructure improvements to realize the government''s vision. The project is designed to complement the government''s efforts to develop secondary towns to ensure Bhutan''s balanced urbanization. The project will support infrastructure development and institutional strengthening in three important secondary towns: Samdrup Jongkhar and Sarpang in the southern border region of Bhutan, which are planned as growth centers with high economic potential; and Trashigang, the largest urban center in eastern Bhutan, which has gained importance with the opening in 2017 of the Yonphula airport, which was supported by ADB. These towns were selected for their strategic economic importance. The project is aligned with the government''s Eleventh Five-Year Plan, 2013-2018, which focuses on balanced and sustainable urban development of human settlements. It is in line with ADB''s country partnership strategy, 2014-2018 for Bhutan, which identifies inclusive economic growth as a key strategic pillar, and is included in ADB''s country operations business plan for Bhutan, 2018-2020. It will contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 6 (ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) and 11 (making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable). |
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Impact | Balanced and sustainable development of human settlements in Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang, and Trashigang ensured. |
Project Outcome | |
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Description of Outcome | Quality, efficiency, and sustainability of urban services improved. |
Progress Toward Outcome | Project is ongoing; Outcome indicators will be assessed during Project Completion Review Mission. |
Implementation Progress | |
Description of Project Outputs | Urban infrastructure expanded and/or upgraded. Capacity of institutions and local communities strengthened. |
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) | In Ranjung: (i) Eight BTP of 10 cum each have been completed; (ii) 6.5 km transmission line completed; (iii) one 230 cum CWR completed; (iv) intake works and grid chamber completed and (v) 113 water meters installed. In Trashigang: (i) 16.7 km water distribution network completed; (ii) One 230 cum CWR completed; (iii) Two BPT 10 cum and 5 cum completed; and (v) 367 water meters installed. In Dewathang: (i) sites for water intake and water treatment plant finalized. Tender for works under preparation. In Samdrup Jongkhar: (i) 3 km trunkline from WTP to CWR completed; (ii) 19.89 km water distribution network completed; (iii) 2.5 km sewerage collection pipeline under construction. In Shechamthang LAP: (i) 6.5 km new road and 4.3 km drain completed; (ii) 12.13 km water transmission line completed; and (iii) 13 km water distribution line completed. GAP implementation and monitoring underway. The NGO is implementing this activity through community outreach and workshops. The institutional expert has been mobilized from October 2022. The urban infrastructure trainer recruitment under process. |
Geographical Location | Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang, Trashigang Dzongkhag |
Safeguard Categories | |
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Environment | B |
Involuntary Resettlement | B |
Indigenous Peoples | C |
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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Environmental Aspects | The project is categorized 'B' as per ADB's Safeguards Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 as there are no environmentally sensitive features in the project. Initial environmental examination (IEE) report, including environmental management plan (EMP) for the project has been prepared following ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009), government guidelines, regulations, and policies. The project involves the construction of water treatment plants, water transmission and distribution networks, sewerage network, urban roads, and drainage. The project components do not pass through environmentally sensitive areas, and no significant and irreversible environmental impacts are expected. Anticipated environmental impacts during implementation include construction-related issues such as generation of dust, noise, waste from construction and worker camps, traffic congestion, erosion, siltation, and occupational health and safety issues. Key operational impacts include health hazards due to poor water quality, increased generation of sewage and sullage due to enhanced water supply, and the need to dispose of waste from filter beds in treatment plants. To address these impacts, the project design includes adequate water monitoring guidelines (including the development of water safety plans) and methods for safe disposal of waste streams. Meaningful consultations have been conducted throughout the project preparation stage and all concerns of the affected persons and stakeholders have been incorporated in the initial environmental examination and the EMP. An integrated social and environmental grievance redress mechanism has been formed to continue receiving feedback and complaints, if any, from affected parties, and to address them during the construction and operation stages. Implementation arrangements ensure that the PMU and PIUs have adequate capacity to manage environmental impacts through consultant support and capacity building. Environmental monitoring is being carried out regularly. The semi-annual environmental monitoring report for January-June 2022 reporting period has been prepared, submitted and disclosed. |
Involuntary Resettlement | The project is classified category B for involuntary resettlement. Involuntary resettlement impacts of the project have been adequately assessed, and the proposed mitigation measures are adequate. The resettlement impacts include tree loss for agricultural landholders for the laying of about 2 km of water transmission pipelines in Sarpang (41 trees and 300 cardamom shoots owned by 12 households). Land for development of basic services in the Sarpang satellite town was acquired through land pooling initiated in 2011, wherein 93 landowners have donated their land in exchange for development of common urban infrastructure. Land pooling was not undertaken in anticipation of ADB financing. The due diligence process (including third-party independent assessors report) confirms that there was no asymmetry in information availability, land inclusive of non-land assets was voluntarily pooled, no coercion was involved, and that the process was undertaken in a fair and transparent manner. Alternative land for the construction of water treatment plant in Dewathang is being identified. Compensation for non-land assets is being paid in line with government policy. EA is providing update in the quarterly progress reports and submitting semi-annual reports. For all works packages, resettlement plans (RPs) or Due diligence reports as appropriate are prepared as part of the bidding document. The safeguard documents are disclosed on the ADB website, and relevant information shared with the affected persons. |
Indigenous Peoples | The project is categorized "C" for Indigenous People safeguards as per ADB's Safeguards Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 as there are no indigenous peoples living in the project areas. No impacts anticipated. |
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
During Project Design | Project preparation included meaningful and widespread consultation, and the concerns of affected persons and stakeholders have been incorporated into the project design. The executing agency is familiar with ADB safeguard policies, having previously implemented two ADB-funded projects and currently implementing another ADB urban project in Thimphu, Phuentsholing, and Samdrup Jongkhar. It has adequate institutional capacity and commitment and is ensuring continued consultations through the project implementation units to manage social and environmental risks. |
During Project Implementation | Consultation with all communities in the project area is continuing during implementation, and a grievance redress mechanism is established. |
Business Opportunities | |
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Consulting Services | The PMU will procure all works and consultancy packages, including the engagement of a project management and supervision consultant, using the quality- and cost-based selection method in accordance with ADB''s Procurement Guidelines (2015, as amended from time to time) and ADB''s Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time). |
Procurement | The procurement classification is B. Procurement will be undertaken at the executing agency level. The procurement risk assessment concluded that the overall procurement risk for the project is moderate, highlighting the need for procurement training and additional assistance through consultants. To address these issues, the project management and supervision consultants will provide support to the PMU, and conduct regular procurement training sessions to improve procurement capacity. |
Responsible ADB Officer | Zam, Sonam |
Responsible ADB Department | South Asia Department |
Responsible ADB Division | BHRM |
Executing Agencies |
Department of Engineering Services (DES) Department of Macroeconomic Affairs, Ministry of Finance |
Timetable | |
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Concept Clearance | 12 Dec 2013 |
Fact Finding | 09 Nov 2017 to 17 Nov 2017 |
MRM | 26 Mar 2018 |
Approval | 18 Jun 2018 |
Last Review Mission | - |
Last PDS Update | 07 Dec 2022 |
Loan 3674-BHU
Milestones | |||||
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Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
Original | Revised | Actual | |||
18 Jun 2018 | 03 Jul 2018 | 30 Jul 2018 | 31 Jan 2024 | 31 Jul 2025 | - |
Financing Plan | Loan Utilization | ||||
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Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
Project Cost | 12.00 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
ADB | 10.00 | 26 Apr 2023 | 8.27 | 0.00 | 87% |
Counterpart | 2.00 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
Cofinancing | 0.00 | 26 Apr 2023 | 8.23 | 0.00 | 86% |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
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Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
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
None currently available.
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Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.
ADB Supporting Development of Bhutan's Secondary Towns
ADB's Board of Directors has approved a $10 million loan to develop the secondary towns of Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang, and Trashigang, spurring more inclusive growth and balanced urban development in Bhutan.
Tenders
Tender Title | Type | Status | Posting Date | Deadline |
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International Urban Infrastructure Trainer | Individual - Consulting | Closed | ||
Institutional Expert to design Urban Tariff | Individual - Consulting | Closed | ||
Structural Engineer to study the cause of intake failure and to redesign | Individual - Consulting | Closed | ||
Recruitment of Hydrologist | Individual - Consulting | Closed | ||
National NGO for Implemenation of Gender Action Plan | Firm - Consulting | Closed | ||
Institutional Specialist | Individual - Consulting | Closed | ||
Loan No. 42229-BHU: Secondary Towns Urban Development Project [SM/UR/001] | Invitation for Bids | Closed | ||
BHU: Secondary Towns Urban Development Project | Advance Notice | Active | ||
Loan No. 42229-BHU: Secondary Towns Urban Development Project [SM/UWS/002] | Invitation for Bids | Closed | ||
Secondary Towns Urban Development Project (Formerly Improved Urban Environmental Infrastructure Project) | Firm - Consulting | Closed |
Contracts Awarded
Contract Title | Approval Number | Contract Date | Contractor | Address | Executing Agency | Total Contract Amount (US$) | Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$) |
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MONITORING CONSULTANT FOR GENDER ACTION PLAN | Loan 3674 | 14 Jun 2021 | TARAYANA FOUNDATION | CHANGLAM THIMPHU BHUTAN | Department of Engineering Services (DES) | 148,523.05 | 144,932.97 |
SAMDRUP JONGKHAR WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE PROJECT | Loan 3674 | 29 Jul 2020 | CHIMMI RD CONSTUCTION PVT. LTD. | THIMPHU BHUTAN | Department of Engineering Services (DES) | 1,837,282.96 | 1,640,488.72 |
DEVELOPMENT OF SHECHAMTHANG LAP INFRASTRUCTURES: ROADS, DRAINAGE AND WATER SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION NETWORK PROJECT | Loan 3674 | 10 Oct 2018 | PENJORE CONST PVT LTD & JABAB CONST PVT LTD | CDB NO. 1958 & CDB NO. 1149 THIMPHU BHUTAN | Department of Engineering Services (DES) | 2,321,948.00 | 2,071,544.00 |
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION CONSULTANT | Loan 3674 | 20 Nov 2018 | APECS CONSULTANCY | THIMPHU BHUTAN | Department of Engineering Services (DES) | 433,150.00 | 430,456.00 |
Procurement Plan
Title | Document Type | Document Date |
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Secondary Towns Urban Development Project: Procurement Plan | Procurement Plans | Feb 2023 |