May 7, 2013
Huge escalation: The project completion cost is now Nu 94B (File picture)With an almost threefold increase in expenditure, energy is likely to be dearer
The cost of generation for the 1200MW Punatsangchu I project could go as high as Nu 4 a unit, when the project is commissioned in 2017, because of cost escalations from change in project design, such as dam relocation and inflation.
Calculating generation cost is based on three parameters including depreciation, debt repayment and operation and maintenance costs.
The latest project completion cost is projected [... Read More]
May 7, 2013
Lecture theatre: Remains of the ceilingA lecture theatre ceiling made of rock wool fell on empty chairs, which otherwise seated 150 students on May 3
Students of Institute of Language and Cultural Studies in Taktse, Trongsa are disappointed over being disallowed from using their auditorium.
The students normally look forward to their weekend extra-curricular activities in the auditorium.
There is nothing wrong with the auditorium, but it is the ceiling, made of the same material as that of the lecture theatre, which collapsed [... Read More]
May 7, 2013
Rains have hampered the works on the construction of Guru Nangsey Zilnoen in Takila Construction of the enormous bronze statue of Guru Rinpoche in the form of Guru Nangsey Zilneon in Takila, Lhuentse, is expected to complete this year.
The 154-ft tall statue is seated on a 38-ft high lotus-base on a hill in Takila, overlooking Tangmachu village in Menbi gewog.
More than 35 skilled workers are working to meet the deadline, some busy with the interior work and some on the statue, but the rains have been hampering their, work [... Read More]
May 6, 2013
Not at a snail’s pace: Since 2009, the number of snails has multiplied in GyalpoizhingIt’s not the thought of attending emergency calls at night at this time of the year that frightens Ngawang Chezom, the 32-year-old health worker in Gyalpoizhing, Mongar. What freaks her more is the thought of walking through snail-infested footpaths.
According to Ngawang Chezom, the “big snails” are a big disturbance to the people, as they have started infesting agriculture fields and flower gardens.
She said snails feed mostly at night on shoots and flower buds, killing the [... Read More]
May 6, 2013
Gola baazar: With or without development, its residents want to stay on… to Balbotay, the area earmarked by the govt. for a new town
While people in other parts of the country complain of not getting a new township, the residents of Gola Bazaar in Sipsoo, Samtse want to stay in their own small compact town.
Following a consultative meeting, the 51 shopkeepers last year submitted to the dungkhag and ministry of works and human settlement that they wish to stay in the same area, and don’t want [... Read More]
May 6, 2013
Winners and runners up with chief guest Phala Dorji, CDB executive directorBoth teams knew they were each up against stiff opponents, as did the crowd that thronged the YDF basketball court yesterday, expecting a spirited playoff.
They were not let down as the finals between the two top teams of the first club basketball championship – Phojas and Wizards – had them scream and shout until the end of the close match up that eventually saw Phojas give into the tactical play of their opponents.
The game ended [... Read More]
May 4, 2013
May 4, 2013
Shoot: A reporter raises a question to the chief executive’s of DHI companies Druk Green Power needs more for investment, while the govt. can’t do with less
The Druk Green Power corporation, the economy’s biggest revenue earner, is requesting the government to consider reducing its dividend contribution to the national exchequer, so that it can create a fund to meet its investments.
As of today, DGPC contributes 90 percent of its profit after tax as dividend to the Druk Holding and Investments, its parent company, which ultimately goes to the [... Read More]
May 4, 2013
Spreading the message: Ferdous and his wife in Thimphu yesterday
A couple from Bangladesh is in the country on a campaign to save their country and rest of the world from sinking.
Mohammad Shahade Ferdous and his wife, Fatema Sultana, are on a motorcycle expedition ‘Ride for Green Earth’ across India, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Nepal. They will cover 40,000km within eight months.
Bhutan is their second stop. “The coastal areas in our country are sinking and similar thing is happening with our [... Read More]
May 4, 2013
Poor quality: A leaking septic tankThe beneficiaries of Radhi and Yangneer point to the many flaws in the finished buildings
People in Radhi and Yangneer in Trashigang have started questioning the quality of the newly constructed basic health units (BHU), worth more than Nu 30M, in the two gewogs.
Villagers said the BHUs in the two gewogs, carried out by same construction company, JD Construction, were starting to fall apart.
While the dzongkhag is aware and had asked the contractor for “rectification”, villagers [... Read More]
