Prime Minister, Dr Lotay Tshering, says until proper infrastructure and regulations are put in place, the Jitti check post in Samtse will remain closed for small vehicles. The prime minister was responding to Samtse’s Ugyentse-Yoeseltse MP, Dinesh Kumar Pradhan during the Question Hour session of the National Assembly, on Tuesday, about the government’s plan to open the check post for Bhutanese commuters to enter India. The Jitti check post in Sang-Ngag-Choeling Gewog was closed during the pandemic. At present, only heavy vehicles are allowed to enter and exit from the checkpoint.
According to the MP, opening the checkpoint for small vehicles will help farmers carry their business to India, go for medical checkups, and do vehicle maintenance in Indian towns like Siliguri.
“If a person goes to Siliguri from Tendu, the distance is 178 kilometres. If a person goes to Siliguri from Jitti, the distance is 126 kilometres. Therefore, there is a 52 kilometres difference between the two places. Moreover, if people go to Phuentshogling through Samtse town, the distance is 158 kilometres. However, the distance between Tendu, Jitti, and Phuentshogling is 130 kilometres. There is a reduction of 28 kilometres. Thus, they can save a lot on fuel and also save time,” said Dinesh Kumar Pradhan, Ugyentse-Yoeseltse MP.
The prime minister said while the government understands the grievances of the public, there is a need for regulations to open the checkpoint.
“Phuentshogling, Gelephu, Samtse, and Samdrup Jongkhar have regulations when a person goes in and out of the border but the Jitti border does not have it. They do not have an office or a person from immigration. If small vehicles are allowed, so are the people riding them. Thus, the citizens need regulations to come inside. If a foreigner comes inside, accordingly, they need regulation. Therefore, the infrastructure to implement these regulations is in the process until then, the public will have to adjust for the time being.”
According to the prime minister, before the pandemic, there were over 150 unofficial entry and exit points starting from Trashi Yangtse in the east to Samtse in the west. Since the reopening of the border, only about 13 were opened. These checkpoints have been divided for three purposes of travel, business, and both.
Singye Dema
Edited by Sherub Dorji
