Regional Meeting on Harmonization of Legal Instrument and Documentations for Cross-border

and Transit Transport by RoadBangkok, Thailand

16-17 December 2015

Karma TenzinChief Engineer,

Department of RoadsMinistry of Works & Human Settlement

Royal Government of Bhutan

Sonam WangchukExecutive Engineer

Department of RoadsMinistry of Works & Human Settlement

Royal Government of Bhutan

COUNTRY LOCATION

BHUTAN AT A GLANCE(2013)

Area (sq.km) - 38,394- Dzongkhags /Districts - 20- Geogs (blocks) - 205- Capital - Thimphu- Population (2012) - 7,20,679 - Currency - Ngultrum- National Language - Dzongkha

ROAD TRANSPORT VISION 2020 MILESTONES

Bring 75% of rural population within half-day’s walk from nearest road

Upgrade current national trunk roads to carry30-ton capacity trucks

Complete second transnational highway (Southern E-W Highway)

Construct “dry ports” at Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrupjongkhar

Introduce domestic air services Improve external air links with full ILS capacity

HIGHWAY NETWORK

BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Point in BHUTAN Point in INDIAPhuentsholing JaigaonSamtse ChamurchiGelephu DadghariSamdrupjongkhar DarrangaNganglam PathsalaGomtu (Pugli) Birpara

AH48 Thimphu-Phuentsholing in Bhutan

AH48 &AH2 (for connectivity with India,Nepal & Bangladesh)

Phuentsholing-Jaigoan-Hashimara-Phulbari-Panitanki-Kakarvita for Bhutan, India & Nepal

Phuentsholing-Jaigoan-Hashimara-Changrabandha-Burimari-Banglabandha for Bhutan, India & Bangladesh

INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIVITY

Overview of Documentation and formalities required for cross-border and transit transport operation by road:

Types of consignment notes used for cross-border and transport operations by roads:

Vehicle Registration Certificate

Any vehicle Entering Bhutan should have a valid Vehicle Registration Certificate:

The Registration should be of the following: Vehicles registered in the country of origin. Valid registration at the time of exit from Bhutan Emission certificate –Euro 03/Euro 04 compliant

Vehicle Technical Inspection Certificate

Any vehicle Entering Bhutan should have a valid Vehicle Technical Inspection Certificate or a Vehicle Fitness Certificate.

The certificate can be issued by the reverent agencies from the country of origin or the vehicle can be taken to the Road Safety Transport Authority of Bhutan and can be issued with a temporary fitness certificate to be valid with Bhutan only.

Vehicle Weighing Certificate

Vehicles Entering Bhutan with Import Goods should have Vehicle Weighing Certificate.

The certificate can be issued by the authorized agencies from the country of origin.Once the vehicles travel within Bhutan the vehicles has to be weighed in Bhutan for confirmation.

Mutual recognition of Driving Licenses

The Driving Licenses or an International Driving permit of the person who is driving the vehicle issued by the competent authority of the country of origin is recognized in Bhutan.However every driver must: Take all reasonable steps to avoid accidents, Comply with the RSTA Act of Bhutan, Ensure that the motor vehicle being driven is in safe and

serviceable condition, Obey all lawful directions of an authorized person or a police

officer Every driver must carry his driving license when driving and

produce it on demand by an authorized person or a police officer.

Visa facilitation for professional drivers

Crew members will have to carry passport or relevant accepted documents which will be issued to facilitate frequent endorsement of visas and will be granted multiple entry visa, valid for at least one year.

Vehicle Insurance

The non regular passenger transportation by vehicles will have to be insured by a registered Insurance Company against at least third party loss.

The regular passenger and cargo vehicle must have a comprehensive insurance policy.

Mutual recognition of documents (including language issues)

Any documents to be decaled to the concerned authorities should be either in Dzongkha or English.

Issues and challenges related to cross-border and transit transport operation by road

Orange Exporters Truck being held for long period at the border of Bangladesh, which causes the perishable goods to get spoiled. (Formalin Test)

Not enough space for Trucks to parking at Bhutan Border.

Possible suggestions on addressing such issues and challenges.

Install/have spare Formalin Test machine in case of machine break down.

Bhutan is constructing a dry port at Pasakha under the SASEC Project.

TASHI DELEK&

THANK YOU