People exiting the pedestrian terminal in Phuentshogling will no longer have to pay the user fee of Nu 10 starting today. This is in accordance with the Cabinet Secretary’s notification issued last month. However, people entering the terminal will have to continue paying the user fee.
The fee waiver while exiting the terminal is expected to make the process faster.
“We have waived off at the exit based on the government directives. But the user fee at the entry is levied. This is because when it comes to the entry, there are certain amenities like a huge walkway, waiting lounge, dedicated washrooms and many other facilities. So, people who enter can use those services and the user fee is therefore charged. Whereas for the exit, we do not have such amenities,” said Jigme Tenzin, Regional Director of the Department of Immigration.
Immigration officials when introducing the user fee system last year, said the amount collected would be used for the maintenance of the terminal.
The regional director said the entry user fee collection will be enough to meet the expenses of the terminal.
Meanwhile, the Sustainable Development Fee for casual visitors for up to 24 hours in the southern border towns including Phuentshogling is also waived from today
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Sherub Dorji