TURA, April 29: Rongara-Siju MLA Rakkam A Sangma, on Thursday, proposed the setting up of the Integrated Check Gate along the Indo-Bangla border at Baghmara, South Garo Hills, stating that the facility would benefit both sides immensely as well as bring development to the region.
A proposal in this regard was submitted by the MLA to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma wherein he urged that the matter be taken up with the Land Ports Authority of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, with the utmost priority.
Sangma said that the setting up of the integrated check gate at Baghmara would improve the region’s prospect for trade and commerce with Bangladesh, especially with respect to export and import of various mineral resources and many agricultural and forest products and boost tourism industry at the international-level among other perks.
“The check gate, if set up, would attract more visitors from all over the world to the region and the state as it has many beautiful tourist sites. South Garo Hills alone has many tourist attractions including Balpakram, Siju cave, rivers, waterfalls and dense unexplored forests with numerous medicinal plants. The check gate would also become a gateway for tourists to visit other parts of the state which have vast tourism potential,” Sangma said.
Pointing out that the distance from District Headquarter, Baghmara to Dhaka in the neighbouring country was just 182 km, Rakkam said that if the idea materialises, it would greatly benefit both sides in terms of economy, healthcare, education as well as bring down cross-border crimes while at the same time improve cordial relations with Bangladesh.
