India-Bhutan: On Saturday morning, Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk arrived on a visit to the International Multimodal Logistics Park (IMLP) being built in Bongaigaon district of Assam. This visit is being considered a big and important step in terms of relations between India and Bhutan. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma warmly welcomed the King of Bhutan. This visit has been made with the idea of promoting trade and connectivity which matches Bhutan’s development vision.
India-Bhutan trade will get a new turn
The special thing about Jogighopa terminal is that it is located just 91 kilometers away from Gelephu city of Bhutan. Apart from this, it is 108 kilometers from the Bangladesh border and 147 kilometers from Guwahati. Because of this, this terminal can become a strong medium of India-Bhutan and India-Bangladesh trade. This terminal is one of the ‘Ports of Call’ declared under the PIWT&T agreement between India and Bangladesh. By the year 2027, about 11 lakh tonnes of goods are expected to move from this terminal every year.
This morning, as per the directives of Hon'ble CM Dr. @himantabiswa dangoriya, I had the honour of welcoming His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck ji, the king of Bhutan, to Assam for his visit to inspect India's first ever International Multi-Model Logistics Park (MMLP),… pic.twitter.com/ukXkw4x9tV
— Jayanta Mallabaruah (@jayanta_malla) April 19, 2025
Modern terminal built at a cost of 82 crores
The terminal, being built at a cost of over Rs 82 crore, has an RCC jetty and RCC approach equipped with electric level luffing cranes. It also has an administrative building, customs office, immigration office, truck parking facility, 1100 sq m covered storage area and 11,000 sq m open storage area. This will not only boost trade but will also open new avenues for regional development and employment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already described this terminal as an important step for the development of Northeast India.
Jogighopa became a strong stop for the ‘Act East’ policy
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal termed this visit as historic. He said that the visit of the King of Bhutan to this terminal and logistics park is another strong step under the ‘Act East’ policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This visit will further strengthen the mutual trust and partnership between India and Bhutan. Assam government minister Jayanta Malla Barua, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, Director of IWAI and many senior officials of the Bhutan government were also present on this occasion.
