Boulder and stone aggregate export to Bangladesh and India will resume from Samtse once the ongoing construction of the dry port is complete. Except for a few structures like watchtower for the law enforcement agencies, the dry port is nearing completion.
The new dry port is right next to the integrated checkpoint in Samtse. It has been strategically selected so that Indian and Bhutanese exports trucks need not drive through settlement areas. The dry port spans an area of 61 acres adjacent to the Indian border town of Chamurchi.
“We haven’t distributed all 61 acres to the exporters. We have allotted 29 acres so far. The 61 acres include the road network, drains, and spaces on the sides,” said Kinzang Dorji, the District Engineer in Samtse.
The 29 acres have been allotted to eight exporters. The dry port is being constructed at a cost of more than Nu 20 M on a cost-sharing basis. The exporters have constructed separate sheds to house incoming drivers and machine operators at the dry port. The dzongkhag, on the other hand, is constructing sheds for law enforcement agencies.
“The exporters couldn’t export anything for about three months. They had stockpiled all their boulders and stone aggregates at their factory site, while continuously paying their employees. That is why they were excited about the dry port and in a meeting, they said they will support the government and agreed to take 60 per cent cost of the dry port construction,” he added.
Exporters have started to stockpile boulder and stone aggregates at the dry port, ready to load and dispatch when exports resume. On Tuesday, as a trial run, 25 truckloads of boulder and stone aggregates were exported. The dry port is expected to complete on August 15.
Sherub Dorji
