The Prime minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, today launched four development projects in Bhutan. The projects flagged-off by the Prime Minister include two in the Hyro-power sector. Earlier, Dr. Singh met his Bhutanese counterpart Jigme Y.Thinley in Thimphu and discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Dr Singh laid the foundation stones for the Mangdechhu Hydro project with a total capacity of 720 megawatts and the Punatsangchhu-two Hydro power project with a capacity of 1000 Megawatt to be completed in Seven years. Both the projects will be implemented under the Inter-governmental Authority model with 70 percent loan and 30 percent grant by the government of India. Prime Minister also launched a total solutions project related to IT for making half of Bhutan's population computer literate. Dr Singh also laid down the foundation of a Medical College in Thimphu with an assisstance of 25 crore rupees and technical expertise.<br/><br/>The Prime minster is to return to New Delhi this afternoon concluding his succesful visit to the 16th SAARC Summit in Thimpu. During his visit to Thimpu, Dr. Singh held meetings with leaders of neighbouring countries including his counterpart, Yousaf Raza Gilani of Pakistan on the sidelines of the SAARC summit.
News On AIR | April 30, 2010 7:36 PM
PM flags-off four development projects in Bhutan