Hydro electricity the backbone of Bhutan's economy

Guwahati, Nov 24 (UNI) The backbone of Bhutan's economy is hydro electric power from which it earns Rs 700 crores a year followed by agriculture products, the country's Joint Secretary, Homes and Cultural Affairs Dasho Tsering Wangda today said.

Mr Wangda, who is here to attend the 4th round of Border District Coordination meeting with Asom government officials, told newsmen that Bhutan's mainstay in economy was the Tallah Hydro Electricity Authority (THEA). It has a generating capacity of 1050 MW from which it received Rs 700 crores per year.

''We also receive a large sum from agriculture products like potato, apple, ginger and oranges. Bhutan earns Rs 80 crores by exporting these every year to India,'' he said.

Tourism also played a vital role in the country's economic development, Mr Wangdo said adding that 13 million US dollars come from this sector every year.

''The royal government of Bhutan receives the maximum number of Indian tourists, mainly from West Bengal, and at least ten buses reach Thimpu every day during peak season from West Bengal alone,'' he said.

There was a proposal to construct the Sankosh hydel project at a cost of Rs 5000 crores with an installed capacity of 1000 M W which will boost local economy besides, providing employment opportunities not only to the Bhutanese but also to those in neighbouring Asom and West Bengal, he said.

The second phase of Sonkosh hydel project of 1000 MW capacity will be taken up once the first phase was completed. All materials and manpower for this mega project will be collected from neighbouring Asom, he revealed.

''A mega cement factory is also on the cards with one million tonnes capacity per year,'' he added.

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