Many truckers say their businesses would be impacted if the parliament endorses Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal motor Vehicular Agreement (BBIN). The National Assembly was supposed to endorse the agreement this session but had to defer because of lapses in the Rules of Procedure.
As per the Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal Motor Vehicular Agreement, cargo vehicles and passenger vehicles will be allowed to travel in the four countries provided they have passports or relevant accepted documents.
To make their case, the tuckers have formed a committee of 24 members.
Many of them say trucks from India are allowed to ferry goods until Phuentshogling within a range of five kilometers. Then the goods are transferred to the local trucks and transported to rest of the country.
“If BBIN agreement gets through, truckers from outside would be allowed to come in. It would then be difficult for us to even get a single trip a month,” said a trucker, Tshering Dorji. He said they get about 8-9 trips a month these days.
Another trucker, Tshering Nidup said they have already started facing problem with increasing number of vehicles in the country.
“If the BBIN is endorsed and vehicles from Bangladesh, India and Nepal are allowed in the country, I think it would again increase the number of vehicles and we, who do small businesses, would be impacted the most.”
The committee members also say they know routes in Assam, Bengal and Bangladesh border well. The endorsement of BBIN, they said, will open up new routes in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.
“I think travelling to these places will be difficult as there would be language barrier. There are lots of Public strikes and taxes which would be inconvenient and difficult for us,” said a committee member, BB Tamang.
The committee is planning to appeal to the government soon.
