India-funded Revidrang and Rolong bridges inaugurated on Bhutan's Trashigang highway
Synopsis
India-funded bridges at two critical bottlenecks on Bhutan's main east-west highway have been inaugurated, restoring a corridor that had been partially closed due to structural failure. The ₹76 million project, the latest in a series of Indian-backed infrastructure deliveries in Bhutan, signals New Delhi's sustained commitment to its closest bilateral partner ahead of Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan milestones.
Key Takeaways
Revidrang and Rolong bridges on the Simtohkha–Trashigang PNH were inaugurated on 12 November 2026 .
Bridges were built at a total cost of Nu.
76 million , fully funded by the Government of India under Project Tied Assistance.
The old Revidrang Bridge had been closed due to structural cracks; Rolong Bridge was a bottleneck for heavy vehicles.
Inauguration was performed by India's Ambassador Sandeep Arya and the Dasho Dzongda of Trashigang .
Last month, 15 HICDP projects including 65+ km of roads and two bridges were inaugurated in Bhutan's Mongar district .
India's support aligns with Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan (2024–29) , reaffirmed during EAM Jaishankar's visit in September 2026 .
Two India-funded bridges on the Simtohkha–Trashigang Primary National Highway (PNH) in Bhutan were officially inaugurated on 12 November 2026, marking a significant step in bilateral infrastructure cooperation. The Revidrang and Rolong bridges were opened by India's Ambassador to Bhutan Sandeep Arya and the Dasho Dzongda of Trashigang Dzongkhag Administration, according to Bhutan's Department of Surface Transport (DoST).
Project Details and Funding
The two bridges were constructed by M/s Shamballa Infra Pvt. Ltd. at a total cost of Nu. 76 million, with the entire funding provided by the Government of India under its Project Tied Assistance programme. DoST functions under Bhutan's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and confirmed the inauguration via an official post.
Why These Bridges Were Critical
Both structures had posed serious constraints to traffic on the Thimphu–Trashigang PNH. The earlier Rolong Bridge suffered from limited load-bearing capacity and a narrow carriageway, creating a persistent bottleneck — particularly for heavy vehicles. The Revidrang Bridge had been shut down entirely due to significant cracks in its superstructure, causing frequent disruptions and hampering the movement of emergency services along the corridor.
Expected Impact on Connectivity
According to DoST, the completion of both bridges is expected to 'improve considerably' road connectivity along the highway, ensuring 'smoother and safer traffic movement, enhancing the transportation of goods and services, and facilitating more reliable access for communities along the highway.' The department characterised the development as a step toward improving the 'resilience and efficiency' of Bhutan's road transport network.
Broader India–Bhutan Development Cooperation
The inauguration comes as part of a sustained pattern of Indian infrastructure support to Bhutan. Last month, 15 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) supported by India — including over 65 km of roads, 10 km of irrigation canals, and two bridges — were inaugurated in Bhutan's Mongar district. India's embassy in Thimphu described the HICDP as 'a unique model of India's support for projects identified by local communities based on their needs and aspirations.'
Notably, in September 2026, during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to Bhutan, both sides commended progress in bilateral development cooperation. Bhutan formally acknowledged India's support for wide-ranging programmes under its 13th Five Year Plan (2024–29), underscoring the strategic depth of the partnership as it enters a new phase of infrastructure delivery.
Point of View
India's visible delivery on ground-level connectivity reinforces its indispensability as Bhutan's primary development partner. The HICDP model, now delivering across Mongar and Trashigang, deserves more attention than it typically gets in mainstream coverage of India-Bhutan ties.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Revidrang and Rolong bridges in Bhutan?
The Revidrang and Rolong bridges are two newly constructed road bridges along the Simtohkha–Trashigang Primary National Highway in eastern Bhutan. They replace ageing structures that had been closed or severely restricted due to structural deficiencies, and were inaugurated on 12 November 2026.
Who funded the construction of these bridges?
The Government of India funded the bridges in full under its Project Tied Assistance programme, at a total cost of Nu. 76 million. The construction was carried out by M/s Shamballa Infra Pvt. Ltd.
Why were the old bridges a problem?
The old Rolong Bridge had limited load-bearing capacity and a narrow carriageway that bottlenecked heavy vehicle traffic. The Revidrang Bridge had been shut entirely due to significant cracks in its superstructure, disrupting both regular traffic and emergency services on the highway.
How do these bridges fit into broader India–Bhutan cooperation?
The bridges are part of a sustained India-funded infrastructure push in Bhutan. Last month, 15 High Impact Community Development Projects backed by India — including over 65 km of roads and two bridges — were inaugurated in Mongar district. India's support is a central pillar of Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan (2024–29), which was reaffirmed during EAM S. Jaishankar's visit to Bhutan in September 2026.
What is India's Project Tied Assistance to Bhutan?
Project Tied Assistance is a bilateral funding mechanism under which India finances specific infrastructure or development projects in Bhutan, with the work awarded to contractors and overseen by Bhutanese authorities. It is distinct from grant aid and is used for targeted capital projects such as roads, bridges, and irrigation.
