DGPC planning to resume construction
Most of the construction works are back on track after the relaxation of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The cheaper and unskilled construction workers from across the neighboring borders are returning to complete the unfinished work.
However, the massive building structure, covering almost 60 decimals area on the Babesa-Serbithang junction, sparked curiosity among the residents and passersby, mostly wondering if it was abandoned and turned into a ghost house for some reason.
Some speculated land ownership disputes, which the project focal denied. However, it’s one case of delayed project completion.
That 2,320 square meters, four-storied, spooky-appearing, unfinished structure, belongs to Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC).
The construction of the corporate space began in April 2017. It was supposed to be completed within 30 months by October 2018.
According to the residents living nearby, it has been almost five years with no sign of construction activities resuming. Thus, the structure became a perfect spot for mischievous individuals to hang out. And a better hideout location for some street people.
The two basement levels for the vehicle parking were filled with mud and stagnant water, serving as a pond; an ideal mosquito breeding ground during summer days. An observer cracking a joke said, “Maybe one should consider planting lotus or duck farming.”
DGPC reasons out Covid-19 pandemic for construction on hold
The project focal of DGPC claimed that the building was never abandoned. He said, “Except that DGPC decided to stop construction activities during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“When the contract for the civil structures was about to be completed, the progress at the site slowed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic starting in March 2020,” added the DGPC official.
Initially, the construction was delayed with the existing road above the building continuously sliding into the excavated foundation area.
The official claimed that it took some time to stabilize the hillslope and re-excavate the foundation for the building. “Due to this, the building layout also had to be slightly realigned,” said the official.
In December 2020, DGPC decided to take over the building from the contractor on an “as is, where is” basis to cut down on costs and claims.
“Since then, the building construction has been kept on hold,” said the official.
Project site condition
The corporate office also claimed that DGPC has maintained site supervisors to look after the security and upkeep of the building.
However, it was observed that one can merely make out to whom the haunted-appearing building belongs. The project signboard placed at the gate has worn out over the years of construction halt.
Interestingly, the gate leading to the structure was locked. A barbed wire fence on the front-facing side of the building will stop the trespassers.
But anyone can easily get into the premise from the back where a large concrete mixing machine is left behind. A shopkeeper running a restaurant nearby for the last four years said, “I haven’t seen any security personnel watching over the structure. Maybe we didn’t pay much attention.”
Citizens said that the area should have been used for better purposes like the cultivation of crops than leaving it for the wild weeds.
Another observer said, “If it’s turned into a residential area, more than a hundred units of the family can live there comfortably.”
Some damaged concrete such as bricks and construction materials were lying on the premise. “It looked haunted to enter the building and scan the property,” said a 28-year-old woman living nearby.
“I also fear that it might not be safe to enter without protective gear, as some structures might fall and hit us, so I just checked the surrounding,” she added.
DGPC on resuming construction works:
DGPC plans to restart and complete the building construction now that the nation has opened up following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“On reopening the borders on September 23, this year, DGPC has reinitiated plans for the construction and completion of the building,” added the project focal.
DGPC made a review of the overall plan. The remaining works from Package I; that is civil works will be included in the scope of work for the earlier Package II.
The second package is mainly for the finishing works and utilities with some modifications for solar rooftops and solar water heating systems. “The tender bid documents for the contractors are expected to float soon,” added the official.
The blueprint design of the office space incorporates Bhutanese architecture on the external show. Inside, it will be installed with a modern amenity. However, the project focal expects cost escalation. “Especially with the modifications in design to incorporate emerging building technologies and energy-efficient systems,” added the focal.
Project Budget
The approved budget for the building at the start of the construction in 2017 was Nu 393.50 million (M)
The contract amount for the first phase with civil works was allocated Nu 143.24 M. According to the DGPC official, the contractor was paid Nu 123.14 M. “Since DGPC took over the building on an “as-is where-is” basis, there were no further expenditures incurred,” said the official.
Four phases of the project
The building construction was planned to be taken up under four different packages awarding the contracts to the bidders.
The package I: Civil works.
Package II: Supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of electrical, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, fire-fighting, and IT networking systems.
Package III: Interior design.
Package IV: Landscape and site development
Purpose of the structure
DGPC was established in 2008. The corporate office saw its operations growing rapidly with more hydropower projects being taken up for implementation and diversification in Bhutan’s outlook on energy security.
The official said, “The corporate office building is expected to eventually cater to over 300 employees with DGPC.”
DGPC currently operates out of rented office spaces for which there are annual recurrent costs.
Most of the construction works are back on track after the relaxation of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The cheaper and unskilled construction workers from across the neighboring borders are returning to complete the unfinished work.
However, the massive building structure, covering almost 60 decimals area on the Babesa-Serbithang junction, sparked curiosity among the residents and passersby, mostly wondering if it was abandoned and turned into a ghost house for some reason.
Some speculated land ownership disputes, which the project focal denied. However, it’s one case of delayed project completion.
That 2,320 square meters, four-storied, spooky-appearing, unfinished structure, belongs to Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC).
The construction of the corporate space began in April 2017. It was supposed to be completed within 30 months by October 2018.
According to the residents living nearby, it has been almost five years with no sign of construction activities resuming. Thus, the structure became a perfect spot for mischievous individuals to hang out. And a better hideout location for some street people.
The two basement levels for the vehicle parking were filled with mud and stagnant water, serving as a pond; an ideal mosquito breeding ground during summer days. An observer cracking a joke said, “Maybe one should consider planting lotus or duck farming.”
DGPC reasons out Covid-19 pandemic for construction on hold
The project focal of DGPC claimed that the building was never abandoned. He said, “Except that DGPC decided to stop construction activities during the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“When the contract for the civil structures was about to be completed, the progress at the site slowed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic starting in March 2020,” added the DGPC official.
Initially, the construction was delayed with the existing road above the building continuously sliding into the excavated foundation area.
The official claimed that it took some time to stabilize the hillslope and re-excavate the foundation for the building. “Due to this, the building layout also had to be slightly realigned,” said the official.
In December 2020, DGPC decided to take over the building from the contractor on an “as is, where is” basis to cut down on costs and claims.
“Since then, the building construction has been kept on hold,” said the official.
Project site condition
The corporate office also claimed that DGPC has maintained site supervisors to look after the security and upkeep of the building.
However, it was observed that one can merely make out to whom the haunted-appearing building belongs. The project signboard placed at the gate has worn out over the years of construction halt.
Interestingly, the gate leading to the structure was locked. A barbed wire fence on the front-facing side of the building will stop the trespassers.
But anyone can easily get into the premise from the back where a large concrete mixing machine is left behind. A shopkeeper running a restaurant nearby for the last four years said, “I haven’t seen any security personnel watching over the structure. Maybe we didn’t pay much attention.”
Citizens said that the area should have been used for better purposes like the cultivation of crops than leaving it for the wild weeds.
Another observer said, “If it’s turned into a residential area, more than a hundred units of the family can live there comfortably.”
Some damaged concrete such as bricks and construction materials were lying on the premise. “It looked haunted to enter the building and scan the property,” said a 28-year-old woman living nearby.
“I also fear that it might not be safe to enter without protective gear, as some structures might fall and hit us, so I just checked the surrounding,” she added.
DGPC on resuming construction works:
DGPC plans to restart and complete the building construction now that the nation has opened up following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“On reopening the borders on September 23, this year, DGPC has reinitiated plans for the construction and completion of the building,” added the project focal.
DGPC made a review of the overall plan. The remaining works from Package I; that is civil works will be included in the scope of work for the earlier Package II.
The second package is mainly for the finishing works and utilities with some modifications for solar rooftops and solar water heating systems. “The tender bid documents for the contractors are expected to float soon,” added the official.
The blueprint design of the office space incorporates Bhutanese architecture on the external show. Inside, it will be installed with a modern amenity. However, the project focal expects cost escalation. “Especially with the modifications in design to incorporate emerging building technologies and energy-efficient systems,” added the focal.
Project Budget
The approved budget for the building at the start of the construction in 2017 was Nu 393.50 million (M)
The contract amount for the first phase with civil works was allocated Nu 143.24 M. According to the DGPC official, the contractor was paid Nu 123.14 M. “Since DGPC took over the building on an “as-is where-is” basis, there were no further expenditures incurred,” said the official.
Four phases of the project
The building construction was planned to be taken up under four different packages awarding the contracts to the bidders.
The package I: Civil works.
Package II: Supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of electrical, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, fire-fighting, and IT networking systems.
Package III: Interior design.
Package IV: Landscape and site development
Purpose of the structure
DGPC was established in 2008. The corporate office saw its operations growing rapidly with more hydropower projects being taken up for implementation and diversification in Bhutan’s outlook on energy security.
The official said, “The corporate office building is expected to eventually cater to over 300 employees with DGPC.”
DGPC currently operates out of rented office spaces for which there are annual recurrent costs.
