Border Town of Samrang Seeks Integrated Checkpoint

Samdrupjongkhar, Bhutan: The border town of Samrang in Samdrupjongkhar, despite sharing a common border and name with an Indian town in Assam, has been lacking a formal checkpoint for an extended period. This has resulted in significant inconveniences for residents and businesses in the region.
Currently, the only border crossing is a simple iron gate guarded by Royal Bhutan Police personnel. This makeshift arrangement has made it challenging for people to cross the border, especially with restrictions on vehicle movement.
Local residents and business owners have expressed their frustration over the lack of an integrated checkpoint. The restrictions on vehicle movement have increased transportation costs and hindered trade activities.
According to Rinzin, a local businessman, the restrictions were imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to impact small businesses in the four gewogs of Samdrupcholing dungkhag. "Now, we have to route everything through the Samdrupjongkhar gate, which significantly increases the distance and expenses," he said.
Former gup M.B Gurung highlighted the difficulties faced by farmers who are forced to transport their crops to Samdrupjongkhar for export. "An official checkpoint here would bring the market much closer," he added.
Medical emergencies pose an additional challenge as patients often need to be transported to Guwahati in India. The lack of a proper checkpoint forces people to hire Indian vehicles for transportation.
To mitigate risks, many Bhutanese residents park their cars near the border in case of unforeseen emergencies.
Samrang Gup Jigme Singye Drukpa emphasized the need for an integrated checkpoint with relevant agencies like immigration, food and drug authority, and police. He noted that the gewog lacks the authority to establish such infrastructure independently and has repeatedly made requests to the government.
A feasibility study for the checkpoint has been conducted and submitted to the government, and a resident of Samrang believes that a formal route through Samrang would boost trade and the local economy.
The Department of Law and Order has shared a proposal for a formal trade route in Samrang with the Indian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. While initially proposing a route from Barakun, the department has since opted for Samrang due to its feasibility and is currently working on the proposal.

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