Export of boulders, river bed materials, and minerals from Phuentshogling is back on track. It has been about two weeks since the trade resumed. At the moment, daily, six truckloads of boulders leave the country on an average from the bordering town for Bangladesh.
As of now, of over 60 exporters registered in Phuentshogling, only six are involved in transporting boulders outside the country. This is because the rest do not meet the COVID-19 containment protocols.
Rigsar Construction Company, one of the biggest exporters, carries out the activities without its workers coming in any contact with the drivers transporting the materials. Its containment zone has cameras, and sensors are installed at the gates to monitor the drivers and for a systematic movement of the trucks.
The trucks are sanitized before it reaches the boulder loading sites. The vehicles are also escorted directly to the sites while entering and exiting the town. There are separate clearing agents and customs officials designated at the containment zones.
Following a directive from the COVID-19 taskforce for the southern region, the Bhutan Exporters Association is also developing a containment zone on almost nine acres of land at Toorsa. The Association expects to complete it in a month’s time. Once ready, it will serve as a containment zone for exporters. Following this, the boulder export is expected to resume in full swing.
Meanwhile, mining and dredging companies are also developing containment zones in their areas.
Since 15th September, close toUSD 0.5 M worth of boulders, river bed materials and minerals were exported from Phuentshogling.
Sonam Penjor
