CM Himanta Biswa Sarma lays stress on improved Assam-Bhutan connectivity

Assam shares 267-km border with Bhutan

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has laid stress on the proper repair and upkeep of the roads connecting Assam and Bhutan. The Himalayan country exports and imports most of the goods through Assam through these roads.

The Chief Minister reviewed the condition of the roads connecting Assam and Bhutan with the top officials of the state PWD and other officials concerned. The Chief Minister directed the officers concerned to properly upkeep these roads to boost tourism and other economic activities.

Assam shares a 267-km border with Bhutan. The state has mainly five roads, one each at Saralpara in the Kokrajhar district, Gelephu in the Chirang district, Sandrup Jonkhar in the Tamulpur district, Bhiarabkunda in the Udalguri district, and Chowki in the Baksa district, that connect the state with the Himalayan kingdom.

During the recent visit of the Bhutan King to the state, he had a discussion with the Chief Minister on connectivity, among other issues.

According to statistics, in 2020, Bhutan exported and imported goods worth Rs 421 crore through the road in the Gelephu region and goods worth Rs 884 crore through the road in the Sandrup Jonkhar region of Assam.

Complaints regarding the poor upkeep of these roads keep coming. The plight of the Samthaibari-Gelephu road compelled the Bhutan Exports Association (BEA) to repair the road in Assam in September this year to ensure smooth plying of their vehicles.

Barring the road in the Sandrup Jonkhar region, the condition of the other roads linking Assam and Bhutan is very poor.

This led the Chief Minister to issue a directive to the officers concerned for the proper repair and upkeep of these roads. “Maintain and repair these roads to bring them to the best condition to complement tourism and the economy on both sides,” the Chief Minister said.

The fringe dwellers in Assam and Bhutan cross over to and fro through these roads for their day-to-day business purposes. Thus, the condition of these roads has much to do with the day-to-day business of the people residing in the border areas as well.

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