The country’s first-ever Pedestrian Terminal in Phuentshogling is complete and ready for the reopening of the border gates on Friday. The new facility was inaugurated by the Prime minister today.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering said the new terminal will help document and regulate the entry and exit of all Bhutanese and foreigners alike. The Prime Minister said similar terminals will also be constructed in the rest of the southern districts as well.
“We have travelled and studied the situation in all the other border gates across the country. We are ready for the border gate reopening this week,” said the Prime Minister. “The rest of the southern districts do not have such terminals, but the need for a such facility in other districts is very genuine.”
Unlike before, all individuals entering Bhutan via the pedestrian terminal in Phuentshogling will now have to complete the immigration formalities.
All Bhutanese citizens entering the country have to produce their Citizenship Identity Card at the main entry point to the police officials. For Indian visitors, one will have to produce a voter card and a fully vaccinated certificate to enter Phuentshogling. And for other international tourists, a passport will be enough for entry. Failing to produce any of these documents will result in entry being restricted.
A few steps away from the entry point, all bags and luggage will be examined with an X-ray screening machine like in the airport terminal. A door frame metal detector for both genders will also be available for security reasons.
Since a large number of people are expected to cross the terminal every day, the terminal is also equipped with various public waiting areas.
Upon completing the screening works, one will have to go through the Immigration desk to complete the immigration formalities. There will be a separate immigration sector for tourists with information and currency exchange services. Once the immigration works are done, the entry shall be permitted accordingly. The process is the same while exiting the terminal.
And given the large number of population in Phuentshogling, a pre-registration online system has also been developed to provide faster and seamless immigration clearance. The online system will be launched on Friday before the border gate opening.
Meanwhile, all-day workers will be permitted to work in Phuentshogling and other border towns without having to pay the SDF. However, they will not be allowed night halts with offenders to be penalized as per the immigration rules and regulations. All entry movement will be facilitated from 6 AM and will remain open until 11 PM.
Passang Dorji/Phurba BBS, Phuentshogling
Edited by Yeshi Gyaltshen
