2.3.3 Border Crossing of Phuentsholing

Overview Daily Capacity Customs Clearance

Overview

Phuntsholing is a border town in southern Bhutan in . Phuentsholing adjoins the Indian town of Jaigon, and cross-border trade has resulted in a thriving local economy.

Whereas is the political capital of Bhutan, Phuentsholing is certainly the commercial capital where the offices and depots of the major oil wholesalers, major merchants and major transporters are located.

South of the border, there is an excellent 2 lane asphalt road (which is being widened to 4 lanes) to Hasimara on NH 31 – a distance of about 17 km. Hasimara is a major commercial town on the highway with train service east and west. It is also home to a military airport of the Indian Airforce.

Plans to join the rail link up to the border with Bhutan have been under discussions for many years but are yet to be materialized due to extensive problems arising from the need to acquire the necessary land for building the railway tracks. Any progress in this regard should not be expected in the near future.

North of Phuentsholing, the national highway maintained by Dantak joins both Paro and Thimphu.

Border Crossing Location and Contact

Name of Border Crossing Bhutan: Phuentsholing India: Jaigon (also known as Jaigaon)

Province or District Chukha

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing Paro

Distance 165 km

Thimphu

Distance 172 km

Latitude 26°51'37.05"N

Longitude 89°23'37.65"E

Managing Authority / Agency Customs and Immigration

Contact Person NA

Travel Times

Nearest International Airport Paro (Bhutan); Bagdora (India)

Distance 165 km (Paro) ; 158 km (Bagdora)

Truck Travel Time: 4 – 6 hours (Paro); 3-4 hours (Bagdora)

Car Travel time: 4 hours (Paro); 2.5-3 hours (Bagdora)

Nearest Port Kolkota

Distance 707 km via NH 12

Truck Travel Time: 15 – 20 hours

Car Travel time: 14 hours

Page 1 Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or Name: Siliguru (, India) production capacity Distance in km: 155 km

Truck Travel Time: 5-6 hr

Car Travel time: 3-4 hr

Other Information Not applicable, route not traversed

Hours of Operation

Mondays 0900 – 1700 Summer

0900 – 1600 Winter

Tuesdays 0900 – 1700 Summer

0900 – 1600 Winter

Wednesdays 0900 – 1700 Summer

0900 – 1600 Winter

Thursdays 0900 – 1700 Summer

0900 – 1600 Winter

Fridays 0900 – 1700 Summer

0900 – 1600 Winter

Saturdays 0900 – 1700 Summer

0900 – 1600 Winter

Sundays 0900 – 1700 Summer

0900 – 1600 Winter

National All government departments closed on national holidays. Private companies remain open. Holidays

Seasonal The river Ammo which flows from the district of Haa is subject to flooding in the estuary which adjoins Phuentsholing. Major works are Constraints being carried out to divert the river to the west of Phuentsholing and reclaim land for further expansion.

Daily Capacity

This border crossing is the major commercial hub and entry / exit point between Bhutan and India. The actual border crossing is quite narrow and can result in hold ups for both trucks and cars. Dry port facilities in Phuentsholing are limited at present but major expansion is in the planning to accommodate a major dry port where larger quantities of containers can be stripped and cleared by customs. There is a functional weighbridge in the centre of the town.

Customs Clearance

There is a major customs office in Phuentsholing and the management is acutely aware that Phuentsholing is the principal land entry and exit point for Bhutan.

Facilities are being improved on a regular basis

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link:

4.1 Bhutan Government Contact List

1.3 Bhutan Customs Information

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