One gate opens, other closes

October 23, 2010: At a time Bhutan and India are likely to agree on opening up yet another gate in Phuentsholing to ease trade, construction of a border check post along the Indo-Bhutan border at Daifam has been temporarily suspended following an objection raised by Indian side.

In a statement, SS Meenakshi Sundaram, Deputy Commissioner, Udalguri district, said that Bhairabkunda on the Indian side has been the tri-junction of Bhutan-Arunachal Pradesh-Assam and is a key strategic location.

Nearest market for People in Bhairabkunda is Daifam town, a subdivision in Samdrup Jonkhar district. Further, there is a major site of the Dhansiri irrigation project.

The Bhutanese authorities visited Daifam on a few occasions and have explained the proposal to build the check post on Bhutanese side of the border. However, Indian border forces reported that the gate under construction has intruded into Indian territories.

On the other hand, Bhutan and India during the upcoming border meeting, are likely to agree on opening up a new gate in Phuentsholing. The new gate will be somewhere between the existing state trading corporation of Bhutan office and an area opposite the Bau bazaar on the Indian side.

Construction of the new entry and exit pedestrians gate near the Phuentsholing ‘gol’ building, which began in 2006, will also be officially inaugurated on October 25.