At the outset, the Speaker, on behalf of the National Assembly of Bhutan, expressed Tashi Delek to the member States of BIMSTEC on the occasion of its 28th Anniversary.

He noted that BIMSTEC was established on 6 June, 1997 to promote economic cooperation and regional integration, now comprising seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. He expressed Bhutan’s appreciation for the continued spirit of friendship and collaboration among the member states and conveyed best wishes for their collective peace, development, and prosperity through this important regional partnership.

In the second round of Question Hour for the Ministers in Group A, three questions for oral responses and six questions for written responses were tabled in the House. Two oral and three  written questions were directed to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT), while one oral and two written questions were addressed to the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) and one question for written responses was addressed to the Minister for Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR). 

The Member from the Drametse-Ngatshang Constituency questioned the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport on the long-term sustainability of the government-operated city bus services. He acknowledged improvements such as the introduction of electric buses and pilot bus lanes but highlighted ongoing issues, including bus shortages, irregular services, and poor infrastructure. Given the national emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs), he asked whether the government should continue operating the service or shift toward a PPP model. He further sought clarification on the financial and operational viability of the current model, existing regulatory mechanisms for fare and service quality, and requested a report on the initiative’s impact in terms of emission reduction, traffic decongestion, reduced private vehicle use, pedestrian safety, and peak-hour relief.

In response, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport stated that the city bus service has improved significantly, with uninterrupted operations from 7:00 AM to 12:30 AM, digital payment options, and real-time bus tracking through the Gakyid Ride system. The service remains government-subsidized and not profit-oriented, aiming to reduce emissions, traffic congestion, and private vehicle use. With around 55 buses transporting 20,000 passengers daily, the initiative has helped reduce approximately 10,000 private vehicles from the roads. Although a past PPP attempt failed due to financial unviability, the government remains open to private sector interest. 

The Member from South-Thimphu raised concerns about inadequate bus stop shelters and limited taxi parkings in Thimphu Thromde. He noted that only 17 out of 326 bus stops have shelters and that over 3,200 registered taxis are constrained by just 35 designated parking areas. The Minister acknowledged these issues and informed the House that under the Low Emission Transport Master Plan (LETMP) recognized as one of the key projects under the Thimphu Structure Plan (TSP) there are plans for the redesign and development of public transport routes. These plans will include improvements to public transport amenities such as bus shelters and other infrastructure. The City Bus Services, in collaboration with Thimphu Thromde, is planning to integrate taxi pick-up and drop-off facilities at some critical bus stops, as well as develop a city bus terminal in the southern part of the city to address last-mile connectivity challenges.

The Minister added that the Ministry, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, is also working on potential interventions to regulate the issuance of taxi driving licenses, given the rising number of taxis. Thimphu Thromde, along with relevant agencies, has been tasked with formulating short-, medium-, and long-term plans to address traffic congestion in the capital. Additionally, a proposal for the construction of more bus shelters based on usage and population density is being submitted to the Ministry of Finance. 

The Member from Chhoekhor-Tang questioned the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment on the sharp decline in tourist arrivals and revenue in early 2025. He highlighted that, despite tourism being a key pillar of Bhutan’s economy, tourist arrivals dropped by 44.43%—from 49,160 in Q4 2024 to 27,320 in Q1 2025—while revenue fell by 49.58%, from USD 12.95 million to USD 6.53 million. In light of this trend, he asked what immediate and long-term strategies the Ministry has to boost tourism, particularly in the eastern and central regions of Bhutan.

The Minister for MoICE said that tourism plays a vital role in Bhutan’s economy. Regarding the reported drop in tourist arrivals from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, he clarified that this is largely due to seasonal factors. Q4 coincides with the autumn season—typically a peak tourism period—while Q1 falls during winter, which traditionally sees fewer visitors. This seasonal variation has been consistent over the years. To assess the overall trend, the Minister highlighted that tourist arrivals in Q1 2025 increased by 17% compared to Q1 2024, and Q4 2024 saw a 39% increase compared to Q4 2023. These figures indicate a steady post-COVID recovery in both tourist arrivals and economic contribution. To mitigate seasonal fluctuations and promote Bhutan as a year-round destination, the government is implementing targeted strategies. In particular, efforts are being made to promote tourism in the eastern and central regions through flagship and star-attraction programs, regional product promotion, and participation in exhibitions and fairs. The Minister also noted the recent opening of a new Immigration Check Post (ICP) at Darranga to facilitate and encourage tourist visits to the eastern region. Additionally, under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) eco-tourism support fund, resources have been allocated to improve tourism infrastructure in five eastern and three western regions. The government has made many future plans to support tourism and accordingly works are also being carried out.