How did roads and automobiles change travel within Bhutan?

The development of a road network and the introduction of automobiles were pivotal in ending Bhutan's historical geographical isolation. By constructing highways through the country's difficult mountain terrain, the government successfully linked previously remote regions to one another and to neighboring India.12

These improvements in transportation drastically reduced travel times. For example, a journey from the Indian border to the capital, Thimphu, which once required six days by mule, can now be completed in just a few hours by car.3

This expanding infrastructure, which includes a major east-west highway and routes connecting key centers like Paro, Tongsa, and Tashigang, has been a significant contributor to the country's economic development. By opening up the country, these advancements facilitated greater internal connectivity and helped shift Bhutan away from its status as a remote, isolated kingdom.23