The government is currently working on improving and shortening the highway between Samtse and Haa which can serve as an alternate route between the south and the capital. According to the economic affairs minister, they are also looking into opening import entry points from other districts including Samtse. The minister said this during the Question Hour session of the National Assembly today.
The Phuentshogpelri Samtse MP asked what the government is doing to improve the Samtse-Haa highway which can also serve as an alternate route to transport goods imported from third countries.
Except for India, goods imported from all countries are considered third-country imports since Bhutan does not have trade agreements with them.
“The Phuentshogling route has become very congested. Also if the route between Phuentshogling and Thimphu is disrupted, there is no other way. So if the Samtse-Haa highway is maintained, it can be used to transport such goods,” said MP Ganesh Ghimiray.
He added it would also benefit the residents of the two districts as well as other citizens. The Economic Affairs Minister agreed on the importance of the highway. Lyonpo Loknath Sharma said blacktopping and widening works are currently underway at the stretch between Yoezergang and Gakiling. He added they also have plans to shorten the route.
“The dzongkhag is still conducting the survey and if 23 kilometres of the road can be shortened, then the Samtse-Haa highway would immensely benefit our country as it can be used as an alternate route,” he said.
The Economic Affairs Minister added that the government is also planning on opening third country import routes from other places such as Gelephu, Nganglam, Samdrup Jongkhar and Samtse.
“These four places should also be considered. It’s important to transport third country imports from these places,” said the minister. “Therefore, we are planning to import the third country goods from Bangladesh as well. We will discuss this with the Foreign minister and with the Indian government as well.”
He said the country’s decision to allow the import of goods only from Phuentshogling was made when Bhutan didn’t have many import activities.
Kelzang Choden
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
