Gelephu is located at about 30 kms to the east of Sarpang, the Dzongkhag headquarters. Though, Sarpang is the administrative center for the Dzongkhag, Gelephu due to various factors, has prospered and developed as a market town serving the hinterland.
The Sarpang-Gelephu Zone offers unique opportunities for Bhutan, as well as for the citizens within the services catchment area. The geographical setting of the town with relatively flat terrain, close proximity and well established connectivity with India, and its location as a nodal connection for the central parts of Bhutan makes the place one of the preferred locations for future development.

This Structure Plan lays down the precinct plan, road network, open space system and amenities system. It reviews the existing scenario of Gelephu and the potentials and constraints from which future possibilities emerge. It explains the proposals for action from which the Structure Plan of Gelephu will be composed. These are then illustrated through maps and diagrams. It also includes implementation and management strategies, investment plan and development control regulations for coherent growth of the town. The Development Control Regulations have been included as a part of the Structure Plan to support the proposals of the plan through the introduction of regulations and procedures. The jurisdiction of these regulations includes the area under the Gelephu Municipal Corporation and the ‘Urban Control Zone’.

The preparation of this plan has involved numerous consultations with the land owners and other stakeholders and their comments and feedback have been integrated into the plan.

The ‘Gelephu Structure Plan’ lays out the basic themes upon which the strategy of Gelephu’s development is based. Gelephu is envisioned as a Growth Center for south-central Bhutan serving a series of smaller settlements, or Service Centers, like Sarpang, Damphu, Zhemgang, and the smaller Basic Nodes under them.

The Structure Plan envisions an impressive entrance or a ‘Gate way’ into Gelephu through a portal from India - One for passenger vehicles such as buses and automobiles; and another for cargo vehicles. It is proposed to be a multi-modal terminal with  visitor's center and rest area for passenger cars; it bus stands with comfortable buses headed north towards Trongsa, west toward Sarpang and Damphu, and east on the proposed Sipsoo-Daipham National Highway.
 
The plan proposes a system of efficient circulation network. It facilitates bus routes which connect to the higher speed Royal Boulevard, Gelephu Bye-pass and the Sarpang-Gelephu Urban Corridor. The proposed Sarpang – Gelephu development corridor will serve as the backbone for a Special Economic Zone. It proposes the establishment of Dry Port and a Free Trade Zone as a part of the Special Economic Zone.

Another theme of the Gelephu Plan is to develop inter-linked open-green spaces for use as recreation, sports, walking, cycling, exercising and play gardens.

We would like to express our indebtedness to the members of the National Consultative Committee on Human Settlement (NCCHS) for reading the document, sitting through the presentation of the planners and for providing valuable and critical comments and approving the plan on the 6th NCCHS meeting held on 2nd February, 2006.

We would also like to thank Dasho Sonam Dawa, previous Dzongdag, Sarpang Dzongkhag, for extending his considered ideas, valuable support and encouragement.  Many of the ideas within these pages have been culled from his observations. Dasho Chogyal D. Rigdzin, previous Dungpa, Gelephu Dungkhag, for helping the team throughout the field research.

We would like to place on record an appreciation of DANIDA for their support to Gelephu’s enhancement, and in particular Mr. Erik Junge Madsen, the than Senior Adviser, DANIDA, who shared his views and ideas with the planning team.

The MoWHS would also like to put on record the contributions made by Mr. Tshering Dorji, Former Secretary, Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, for being instrumental in the preparation of the Structure Plan with his continuous source of guidance and constructive criticism, Mr. Rinchen Dorji, Director, DUDES, who has extended his support and guidance and promoted a cohesive team spirit between the Consultants, the Ministry and the Dzongkhag Authorities, the Chief Town Planner, Mr. Meghraj Adhikari, DUDES, who has been a consistent guiding force in helping the team with the preparation of this plan by providing his insight into the local context and sharing his views and other related information. The Senior Urban Planners from UPDD, DUDES, Mr. Geley Norbu, Ms. Tashi Wangmo, Mr. Thukten Choeda, Ugyen M Tenzin and Ms. Latha Chhetri have worked and provided their valuable support, ideas and enthusiastic participation at various stages in the preparation and finalization of this plan. We are also thankful to the other staff of UPDD, UISD and AFD who has assisted the planning team in one way or the other.  

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the sector heads, officers of Dzongkhag Administration, Sarpang, officers of Gelephu Municipal Corporation, Department of Survey and Land Records, National Statistical Bureau, United Nations Development Programme and Ministry of Trade and Industry for giving their time in providing valuable information and support to the planning team.
We would also like to thank Major Wangdi, Ex-Dzongda, Gelephu, Bazaar Secretary, Gelephu Municipal Committee Members, Gup, Pemathang and Ex-Gup, Gelephu for their support and their views to the planning team.

The Gelephu Structure Plan has been prepared by Professor Christopher Charles Benninger of Benninger Architectonics USA Ltd. and he was supported by a team of Urban Planners, Architects and Investment Planner: Kamesh S, Harshad Rajadhyax, Ashish Lahoti, Rahul Sathe, Balasaheb Alange. Akkisetti Ramprasad Naidu, Jagadeesh Taluri, Navin Pradhan and Mr. Ashok Labade, has supported their work at all times. Mr. Ranjit Wagh, Mr. Deepak Kaw, and Mr. Sonam Geley, have been a source of constant encouragement to the team. Prof. Ravi Anand, School of Planning and Architecture, JNTU, Hyderabad has aided the team in the preparation of this plan.

This Structure Plan for Gelephu is not a static legal document, but a living plan. It lays down the precinct plan, road network, open space system and amenities system. The plan lays down the basic structure and guidelines for the future development of the town. These guidelines need to be detailed out in the Local Area Plans, which are prepared for the proposed Urban Villages respecting the local needs and determinants. Any changes to the Structure Plan should be done by the NCCHS / the ministry concerned and no other agency or person has the authority to alter or change the plan.

In conclusion, the MoWHS would like to urge all the stakeholders and all those concerned to extend their wholehearted cooperation and support in realizing the plan. It should be the duty and obligation of all stakeholders to assist the municipal authorities in implementing the plan and ensure that Gelephu develop in a planned way. This plan provides an excellent opportunity to promote planned growth of Gelephu unlike many other settlements.

Ministry of Works & Human Settlement,
Royal Government of Bhutan.