Bangla, Bhutan plan new trade route through India

“The Bhutanese authorities have agreed to the proposal in principle,” the leading English newspaper Daily Star said today quoting an official of the foreign ministry.

“Travelling distance from Dalu to Nakuagaon is much less and the road condition is much better than that of Dalu to Gaobrakura via Gasupara in India,” he said.

Nakuagaon is also close to Vogair river in Bhutan that flows into Brahmaputra. “River route can also be used if transit is opened through Nakuagaon point,” the official said.

“They are now seeking permission from Bangladesh to conduct a feasibility study of the proposed route,” he said. A Bhutanese delegation may come to Bangladesh for the purpose, he added.

Bhutanhas, however, sought permission from Bangladesh for allowing the Haluaghat point in Mymensingh district as an “additional transit route” for its trade with Bangladesh.

Bhutan conducted a trade survey along Indo-Bangladesh border through Dauki-Tambail and Gasupara-Haluaghat routes in May 1997. The survey showed that the route from Haluaghat to Gasupara in India was economically viable for trade.

The distance from Dalu in Bhutan to Dhaka via Gasupar and Gobrakura through Indian territory is 199.76 kilometres.