Gelephu Special Administrative Region

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Gelephu Special Administrative Region
CountryBhutan
RegionGelephu
Government
 • TypeSpecial Administrative Region with its own Basic Law
Area
 • Total
2,500 km2 (1,000 sq mi)
Websitegmc.bt

Gelephu Special Administrative Region (stylized as GeSAR), better[1] known as Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC SAR) (Dzongkha: དགེ་ལེགས་ཕུག་དྲན་ཤེས་ཁྲོམ་ཚོགས) and Sarpang District Special Economic Zone (SD SAR),[2] is a planned economic hub and special administrative region in Gelephu, Bhutan, separate from the country's existing laws. Strategically located on the border with India to leverage regional connectivity between South and Southeast Asia, it will cover an area of 2,500 square kilometers, three times the size of Singapore.[2]

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck announced the plan for the GMC SAR in a public royal address during the 116th National Day celebration on December 17, 2023.[3]

The city will have its own business-friendly regulations and systems, integrating sustainability, Bhutanese culture, and spirituality with plastic-free, modern, urban, low-rise, eco-friendly buildings. The aim is to create a clean-technology innovation hub by attracting global investment to boost economic activity. All food will be organic, electricity from renewable sources, and the hub will be built to promote cycling and foster AI innovation.[4]

History

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For several years, the King of Bhutan has planned the development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own distinct laws and systems, with initial development to be driven by Foreign Direct Investment. Unveiled as part of Bhutan’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and create opportunities for its youth, GMC emphasizes Bhutan’s cultural identity while integrating modern technologies and sustainable practices. Its development gained prominence at the Bhutan Innovation Forum in 2024,[5] where it received endorsement from Nobel laureates Joseph Stiglitz and Michael Spence, architect Bjarke Ingels, and Snap Inc. CEO Evan Spiegel.

The masterplan was developed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Arup, Cistri, and MQDC, featuring eleven mandala-inspired neighbourhoods connected by inhabitable bridges, combining civic, spiritual, and commercial functions.[6]

Bhutan’s broader national vision includes diversifying its economy beyond hydropower and tourism and providing employment opportunities for its youth through innovation and sustainable urban development.[7]

GMC is designed around seven core economic clusters: spirituality, health and wellness, education, digital and green technology, finance and digital assets, agri-tech, and logistics and connectivity.[8] Architecture will use local materials such as rammed earth, bamboo, and stone, with low-rise, ecologically integrated buildings aligned to the region’s rivers and natural topography.

GMC will operate as a Special Administrative Region with its own legal, judicial, and governance framework, designed to encourage investment, innovation, and transboundary cooperation.[9]

Current works in progress

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As of 2025, several critical infrastructure projects are underway to initiate development of Gelephu Mindfulness City. A major milestone is the construction of the Gelephu International Airport, intended to serve as the region’s primary gateway and logistical hub. Its first phase will accommodate around 1.3 million passengers annually, with plans for expansion to 5.5 million.[10]

To fund the airport and related infrastructure, Bhutan launched its first-ever domestic bond offering in 2025, which has seen strong support from Bhutanese investors.[11]

Ongoing development efforts include:

Construction of climate-resilient infrastructure and arterial roadways

Design and planning of thematic districts dedicated to health, education, technology, wellness, and culture

Urban planning led by international design firms, including the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)[12]

Integration of renewable energy systems, green architecture, and carbon neutrality targets [13]

A Bhutanese delegation visited Assam in June 2025 to coordinate infrastructure, education, and trade linkages with Indian officials.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ compare the frequency Gelephu Mindfulness City is used in the references vis-a-vis Gelephu SAR
  2. ^ a b "Bhutan King announces mega Gelephu city project along Indo-Bhutan border". India Today NE. 2023-12-17. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  3. ^ "His Majesty announces Gelephu Mindfulness City SAR project of 1,000 sq km". The Bhutanese. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  4. ^ भूटान में बन रहा 'नई दुनिया' का अनोखा शहर, सिंगापुर से 3 गुना बड़ा आकार, दिखेगा प्रकृति का असली स्वरूप, indiatv.in, 21 Jan 2025.
  5. ^ "Bhutan's Bold Vision: Gelephu Mindfulness City Sets a Global Benchmark for Sustainable Urban Development". Global Law Lists.org. 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  6. ^ "Masterplan unveiled for Gelephu Mindfulness City". Kuensel Online. 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  7. ^ "Gelephu Mindfulness City Investment Guide". Manifest Bhutan. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  8. ^ "Gelephu Mindfulness City to focus on 7 core economic clusters". The Bhutanese. 2024-09-07. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  9. ^ "Gelephu Special Administrative Region". GMC Official. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  10. ^ "Bhutan unveils Gelephu Mindfulness City". The Bhutan Live. 2024-12-17. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  11. ^ "GMC launches domestic bond offering for Gelephu Airport Project". Kuensel Online. 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2025-08-07."Bhutanese step forward to build GMC Airport". Kuensel Online. 2025-07-01. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  12. ^ "Masterplan unveiled for Gelephu Mindfulness City". Kuensel Online. 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  13. ^ "Gelephu Mindfulness City Investment Guide". Manifest Bhutan. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
  14. ^ "Delegation from Bhutan meets Assam CM". The Times of India. 2025-06-10. Retrieved 2025-08-07.