About Us
Department of Surface Transport
Mission:
To create/Towards creating a safe, reliable, sustainable and green transport sector through innovation and standardization for accelerated socio-economic development.
Vission:
A dynamic organization building safe and sustainable surface transport infrastructure
Our Story
The Department of Surface Transport (DoST) is one of the oldest departments in the country, originally established with a primary focus on expanding road connectivity. The department’s journey began in 1959 with the establishment of the “Bhutan Road Project,” tasked with conducting a feasibility study for the Thimphu-Phuentsholing Highway under a Principal Engineering Officer. With the commencement of the five-year plan in 1961, it was renamed “Bhutan Engineering Services,” led by a Chief Engineer to oversee the construction of the 179 km highway.
In 1979, it was renamed the “Public Works Department,” initially falling under the Ministry of Development and later under the Ministry of Social Services.
In 2000, it was renamed the “Department of Roads” and became one of the main technical departments under the Ministry of Communications. When the Ministry of Communications was bifurcated in 2003, the Department of Roads came under the purview of the newly formed Ministry of Works & Human Settlement. In 2023, during the Civil Service Transformation Initiative, the Ministry of Works & Human Settlement and the Ministry of Information & Communication were merged, forming the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Subsequently, the Department of Roads was renamed the “Department of Surface Transport.”
Through decades of dedicated service, the department has not only facilitated economic growth and regional integration but also contributed to the overall socio-economic development, ensuring that infrastructure development remains a cornerstone of the country’s progress.
Focusing on reaching out even the unlikeliest demographics
Our Directives
Formulates Policies
Construction of roads, bridges (motorable and trail) and alternate modes of surface transport.
Development & Implementation
Improvement/up-gradation of roads and bridges.
Development & management
Maintenance of roads and bridges.
Promotion
Provide geotechnical services.
Promote regional & international transport
Provide technical backstopping to the Local Governments.
Planning, designing & construction
Serve as Single Source of Truth (SSoT) for any data pertaining to roads and bridges under DoST
Operation and maintenance
Issue clearance for any temporary constructions within RRoW and for any approach roads taking off from the highways/roads under DoST
Organogram
