Nathu La: Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has decided to re-lay roads for transit trade between India and China, as the existing route was found to be too narrow. Work on the new alignment will begin this year, said sector commander Brigadier SL Narsimahan.

As of now, only border trade can be carried out due to lack of proper infrastructure, he said. BRO will work on the present road and re-lay it with metal top before the trade route reopens, Army officers said. “We have proposed that trade across the border should be conducted only thrice a week so it does not hamper tourist movement,” said Col IJS Chauhan.

The Sikkim government has sanctioned about Rs 2,000 crore to develop another road for the trade route; work will begin in 2007 and should be completed by 2011.

In anticipation of transit trade, a trade mart has been set up at Sherathang on the Indian side; the Chinese will also build a similar trade mart at Rhinsengang. Preparations are underway en-route to Nathu La. Construction work has begun on a custom office, BSNL office, and an ATM counter near Sherathang.

The Army is beefing up security following the opening up of Nathu La pass in the first week of June, said Major Genral K T Parnaik, GOC 17 Mountain Division. The pass, located in East Sikkim was a transit point for trade on the Gangtok-Lasha silk route till 1974. And the Army’s role will mostly be limited to monitoring the international border. The Major General said: “So far we have received no threat from across the border and there have been no reports of insurgency in this part of Sikkim.’’ To keep the Army company, Indo-Tibet Border Police would be also posted at Sherathang once the trade route reopens.

“Our men are guarding the border day and night though it is inhospitable terrain. Here the wind speed is at 50 to 60 knots and temperature falls to a minimum of 2 degree in summer and minus 25 to 30 in winter,” said Major General Parnaik.
“We have an eyeball-to-eyeball connection with our Chinese counterparts but we sense no security hassle with the proposed opening,’’ said sector commander, Brigadier S L Narsimahan.

Before the jawans are posted at Nathu La they undergo 10 days acclimatisation ~ six days at 17 Miles and four days at Shiri, situated at 13,500 ft, the Brigadier said. Twice a year, on 15 May and 15 September, border personnel meetings are held between officers of Indian and Chinese garrison.