Guwahati: The first Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the India-Bhutan border at Darranga in Tamulpur district of Assam was inaugurated on Thursday.
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the ICP in presence of Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay.
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Located about 700 metres from the India-Bhutan border, the ICP sprawls across 14.5 acres.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including an office complex, residential quarters for officials, parking areas, a weighbridge, a warehouse, and loading and unloading zones.
The ICP also has inspection spaces, plant quarantine systems and parking facilities in order to ensure efficient operations.
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The ICP is developed by the Land Ports Authority of India.
Darranga, being a strategic location, is boosted by its connectivity.
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The ICP is well-connected to the National Highway 27 in Rangiya on the Indian side, while sturdy customs infrastructure at Samdrup-Jongkhar ensures efficient trade on the Bhutanese side.
The ongoing developments to the highway between Samdrup-Jongkhar and Tashigang are likely to facilitate trade prospects as well as enhanced connectivity.
Speaking on the occasion, Assam Governor Acharya underlined the long-standing ties of friendship between Bhutan and India and the recent initiatives for cross border infrastructure development and enhancing people to people connectivity.
He reiterated the Central government’s commitment to expand the partnership further based on the priorities of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
In his address, Prime Minister Tobgay welcomed the operationalisation of the ICP which he said will boost tourism and economic development in eastern Bhutan.
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He thanked the Indian government for its efforts in promoting greater connectivity in the region.
During the visit of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to India in November 2023, both Bhutan and India had agreed to designate Assam’s Darranga and Bhutan’s Samdrup Jongkhar as an ICP between both the nations in order to facilitate entry and exit of third country nationals by the land route.
Earlier, the third country nationals were permitted to enter and exit Bhutan only through the Paro International Airport or the Jaigaon-Phuentsholing land border.
Opening of the ICP for the third country nationals is expected to boost connectivity, promote tourism and people to people ties.