Background

DEPARTMENT OF SURFACE TRANSPORT

  1.Background

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.

   2. Vision:
A dynamic organization building safe and sustainable surface transport infrastructure.
  3. Mission:

To create/Towards creating a safe, reliable, sustainable and green transport sector through innovation and standardization for accelerated socio-economic development.

  4.Services:

  1. Construction of roads, bridges (motorable and trail) and alternate modes of surface transport.
  2. Improvement/up-gradation of roads and bridges.
  3. Maintenance of roads and bridges.
  4. Provide geotechnical services.
  5. Provide technical backstopping to the Local Governments.
  6. Serve as Single Source of Truth (SSoT) for any data pertaining to roads and bridges under DoST
  7. Issue clearance for any temporary constructions within RRoW and for any approach roads taking off from the highways/roads under DoST

 5.Organogram:

 6.Divisions and Regional Offices under the Department

The Department of Surface Transport has five Divisions at the headquarters and nine Regional Offices spread across the country.

  6.1 Bridge Division

The Bridge Division within the department ensures effective planning, design, construction, maintenance, and management of bridge infrastructure, headed by a Chief Engineer.

The following are the mandates of the Division:

  1. Conduct planning and coordination of pre-feasibility studies for bridges including social, environmental, and geotechnical.
  2. Carry out detailed site studies and topographical survey works for both motorable and trail bridges;
  3. Conduct structural analysis and design of bridges;
  4. Carry out design drawings for bridges;
  5. Prepare bill of quantities and technical specifications;
  6. Support bridge construction and maintenance activities;
  7. Prepare and review plans and budget proposals of the Department related to bridge construction works.
  8. Carry out bridge construction works and construction supervision of important bridges;
  9. Prepare and review bidding documents for bridge works and carry out tendering for important/major bridges;
  10. Monitor the quality of bridge construction works;
  11. Oversee the overall contract and project management;
  12. Provide technical support during the execution of bridge works;
  13. Provide technical support to the Local Government for the construction of bridges:
  14. Monitor and compile progress reports of the bridge construction project including both physical and financial progress;
  15. Carrying out inspection of bridge steel parts during fabrication.
  16. Prepare bridge repair and maintenance plans and carry out repair and rehabilitation work in coordination with ROs;
  17. Maintain and update bridge inventory

  6.2 Construction Division

The Construction Division headed by a Chief Engineer, ensures the effective and efficient management of construction projects. This includes planning, execution, regulatory compliance, adherence to standards, and stakeholder engagement and communications.

The following are the mandates of the Division:

  1. Review and guide the overall procurement processes including estimation, analysis of rates, work scopes, and technical specifications of the construction, improvement, and maintenance works under the Department
  2. Maintain/Archive up- to- date notifications related to procurement
  3. Prepare and review tender documents for MLTC Level tender
  4. Initiate procurement of works within the MLTC Level (construction, improvement & maintenance works)
  5. Resolve and address contractual issues related to the construction, improvement & maintenance works
  6. Review the preliminary work plans of the ROs related to Construction, Improvement & Maintenance Works
  7. Facilitate and partake in the arbitration/legal matters
  8. Monitoring of progress of all road construction works under the Department;
  9. Monitor and check the quality of works executed by contractors and ROs;
  10. Preparation and compliance monitoring of SoP for construction quality assurance.
  11. Process and follow-up on Environment Clearance related to road and bridge constructions.
  12. Overall management of major construction projects (donor funded)
  13. Initiate preparation of proposal for new projects (Initial Project Document and Detailed Project Report)
  14. Coordination with Department of Planning Budget and Performance for arrangement of funds for implementation of approved projects.
  15. Collect data, analyze & prepare physical & financial progress reports for submission to donor agencies as per their requirements.
  16. Monitor release of committed funds from donor.
  17. Compile expenditures & prepare Fund Utilization Certificates.
  18. Prepare & submit Fund Release Requests
  19. Facilitate mobilization of resources for timely implementation of projects.
  20. Prepare Project Completion Report (PCR).

  6.3 Design & Geotechnical Division

The Design & Geotechnical Division headed by a Chief Engineer, involves planning, designing, and implementing road infrastructure projects, including conduction of geotechnical assessments, developing engineering plans, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The following are the mandates of the Division:

  1. Carry out sub-soil investigations for roads, bridges, and important structures.
  2. Assist in conducting the feasibility studies for infrastructure development like roads/surface transport, bridges, and towns
  3. Carry out detailed studies on unstable sections of roads and highways.
  4. Carry out field and laboratory test of materials
  5. Provide geotechnical services to the line departments within MoIT.
  6. Prepare and execute site investigation programs, geotechnical analyses and slope stability analysis
  7. Oversee monitoring and implementation of geo-hazard risk reduction activities in the department
  8. Periodic up-date and maintain road slope inventory
  9. Prepare technical documents, including technical specifications, geotechnical data reports, and design reports
  10. Develop slope standards and guidelines for surface transport infrastructure
  11. Develop standards for all types of surface transport infrastructure
  12. Classify and declare the types of roads as and when required
  13. Review reports related to geotechnical work submitted by the consultants
  14. Compile road slope hazard zonation mapping of the country
  15. Monitoring of critical road slope by installing instrumentation.
  16. Carry out feasibility studies for road construction through desktop study and ground reconnaissance surveys
  17. Carryout detailed topographic survey for design of road alignment and necessary data collection for pavement design
  18. Prepare the geometric and pavement design drawings for different road categories;
  19. Preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPR).
  20. Prepare and publish guidelines and manuals for drainage and pavement design;
  6.4 Maintenance Division

The Maintenance Division within the department, headed by a Chief Engineer, is primarily responsible for overseeing routine maintenance, repairs, and improvements of road infrastructure to ensure its safety, functionality, and longevity.

The following are the mandates of the Division:

  1. Review and update the existing road maintenance system
  2. Oversee the financial planning and budgeting related to transport infrastructure maintenance works
  3. Verify compensation issues submitted by ROs and apprise the Ministry to seek approval for the settlement
  4. Review and process write-off sanction of the damaged structures
  5. Ensure strict implementation of the planned activities related to maintenance by the ROs
  6. Evaluate road maintenance works executed by ROs and propose recommendations for improvement
  7. Oversee the monthly Road maintenance works progress (Routine mtc., Monsoon damage restoration) and provide feedback, where necessary.
  8. Monitor and follow up audit observations of the Department and coordinate with the ROs in timely submission of the action taken report to the Royal Audit Authority;
  9. Plan and process budget for road maintenance works;
  10. Update and Operate Road Asset Management System (RAMS) and GIS information database:
  11. Collect road (including alternate modes of surface transport) condition data using ROMDAS
  12. Conduct road condition survey under the jurisdiction of the Department annually
  13. Conduct analysis of the RAMS database to generate maps and prepare periodic maintenance plan every financial year;
  14. Prepare reports from RAMS and present to the Department for endorsement and publication of the reports
  15. Develop the data archiving system within the Department;
  16. Compile the road asset (including alternate modes of surface transport) in collaboration with the ROs.
  17. Compile and disseminate road block information to the general public.
   6.5 Transport Planning & Development Division

The Transport Planning & Development Division headed by a Chief Program Officer, ensures strategic planning, policy development, and infrastructure investment to facilitate efficient and sustainable transportation systems.

The following are the mandates of the Division:

  1. Prepare Surface Transport Master Plan, Five Year Plan (FYP) and Annual Work Plan for the Department
  2. Maintain overall data of surface transport infrastructure
  3. Prepare progress/achievement reports of the department.
  4. Compile, update and publish the Road Classification and Network Information for the surface transport sector;
  5. Compile, update and publish Surface Transport Inventory for the surface transport sector.
  6. Planning and implementing eco-friendly mass transit system.
  7. Accord sectoral clearance for development of alternate modes of transport such as cable cars, etc.
  8. Carry out research and develop strategies pertaining to alternate modes of surface transport system and their integrated infrastructure requirements
  9. Stimulate and manage growth in the surface transport sector within the country
  10. Transport management and logistics including public, freight and alternate modes of transport (integrated transport hub, bus terminals, roadside amenities, EV facilities, etc)
  11. Promotion of green, sustainable and low emission technologies in the transport sector, including EV and other emerging technologies
  12. Explore and introduce smart mobility systems in the growing urban areas.
    6.6 Regional Offices

The Department of Surface Transport has nine Regional Offices spread across the country and they are responsible for road and bridge construction, maintenance, and safety operations within their designated jurisdiction to ensure efficient management and delivery of transportation infrastructure services. The Regional Office(s) are headed by the Chief Engineer(s).

The following are the mandates of the Regional Offices:

  1. Prepare and review plans and propose a budget for construction works within their region
  2. Procurement of works including preparation and review of tender documents at DLTC and RLTC levels
  3. Monitoring and reporting of the work progress within their region
  4. Verification of bills related to construction activities submitted by the sub-divisions/other agencies
  5. Maintain a record of all construction-related documents
  6. Verify the surface transport infrastructure maintenance plan submitted by the sub-division.
  7. Monitor and report surface transport maintenance works to ensure quality and timely completion of works.
  8. Monitor and control illlegal constructions along RRoW as per the Road Act 2013 and Road Rules & Regulations 2016
  9. Issue clearance for any building or road constructions along highways/roads under DoST

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