Bhutan
2.3.1. Bhutan Border Crossing of Gelephu
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Overview

Gelephu is located on the border between Bhutan and India. There is a regional airport 5 km west of Gelephu which is described elsewhere in this LCA. While Gelephu is a major community with a mayor (Thrompon), the location is not an ideal entry or exit point between Bhutan and India because of the very poor condition of the road between the border and Highway 31 in India.

Border Crossing Location and Contact

Name of Border Crossing

NA

Province or District

Sarpang

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing

Santabari in India on Highway 31

About 43 km

Latitude

26°52′14″N

Longitude

90°29′08″E

Managing Authority / Agency

Customs and Immigration

Contact Person

NA

 

Travel Times

Nearest International Airport

Paro

242.4 km via Wangdue - Tsirang Highway

Truck Travel Time: 9 hours

Car Travel time: 7 hours

Nearest Port

Kolkata (India)

Distance 830 km

Truck Travel Time: 19 hours

Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity

NA

Other Information

 

NA

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 Holidays

 

All government departments are closed for national holidays

Seasonal Constraints

During the monsoon season, the crossing area is subject to frequent flooding as in low lying area on the border with a large river flowing through to India


Daily Capacity

This is a busy border crossing with small commercial shops on either side of the border. Asphalt surface on Bhutan side and a mixture of asphalt and unsealed on the Indian side of the border. Maximum two lanes and no information on traffic flow except to say quite slow. Cars and trucks not provided with separate lanes

Customs Clearance

No details for private commerce however food aid items can cross the border with customs clearance on production of the usual documentation.

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

4.1 Bhutan Government Contact List

1.3 Bhutan Customs Information

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