Despite the nationwide lockdown, the export of boulders and mandarins from Samtse remains uninterrupted. There is no restriction of movement of vehicles ferrying mandarins till the depot at the Food Corporation of Bhutan.
The dzongkhag has made the arrangement as mandarin is a perishable item. Although things are smooth, security personnel at various checkpoints did not allow the passage of vehicles recently. However, it was sorted out after consulting the dzongkhag officials and police. Yesterday, four truckloads of mandarins were exported.
Likewise, the export of boulders and riverbed materials is also in full swing. This has been made possible with facilities such as containment area and dry port put in place. 37 trucks ferrying boulders and riverbed materials left for India and Bangladesh on the first day of the nationwide lockdown on Wednesday. Additional 193 trucks left yesterday.
However, for now, the import is limited to essential items only.
Sherub Dorji