Bus-and-shop signal to Bhutan

TT, Jalpaiguri: The Centre has decided to build a bus terminus and a shopping complex near the Bhutan border at Chamurchi in Jalpaiguri district, signalling its intent to engage with the new government of the Himalayan nation by developing infrastructure at one of the three points of entry between the two neighbours.

The development of infrastructure at the border will increase people-to-people contact and also boost commerce.

A new party, the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), has taken power in Bhutan, a strategic country placed between India and China. Bhutan and India have traditionally had friendly ties.

"This is a smart move to please Thimphu, where a new government came to power only last month…. We all know that China has been trying to woo Bhutan for some time. So the attempt to engage more with Thimphu is good diplomacy," said a source who did not wish to be named.

Bhutan's strategic importance for India was reinforced following the 72-day standoff between Indian and Chinese The gate on the IndiaBhutan border at Chamurchi forces at Doklam in 2017. Located around 75km from Jalpaiguri town, Chamurchi village is one of the three points in Bengal from where roads lead to Bhutan. Samtse, a town in Bhutan, is on the other side of the border.

The other two points are Birpara-Gomtu and JaigaonPhuentsholing, both in the neighbouring district of Alipurduar. However, Phuentsholing is the principal entry and exit point on the border.

"It has been decided that a bus terminus and a market complex will be built in Chamurchi. We have identified a 1-hectare plot of the Chamurchi tea estate for this. The garden management has given us a no-objection certificate so that we can take back (that portion of the) land, leased out to the estate, and use it for the project. The plan will be implemented under the BADP (Border Area Development Project)," said Shilpa Gourisaria, the Jalpaiguri district magistrate.

Sources in the administration said the instruction to augment facilities along the border had come from the Centre. The Bengal government's planning and development department will build the infrastructure with funds from the Centre.

Now, only a few vehicles take the Samtse-Chamurchi route, but the volume is expected to increase once the infrastructure is put in place.

"It seems India wants to provide alternative routes to its landlocked neighbour (Bhutan) and create opportunities for economic growth…. If this route is opened in a fullfledged manner for trade and movement of people, it would help Bhutan increase its engagement with India, particularly the Northeast," a source said.