Temporary Immigration Office to Open at India-Bhutan Border Ahead of November Event
Establishment of Temporary Immigration Office
Bhutan Gate in Gelephu, near the Assam–Bhutan border in Dadgiri, Chirang district (Photo: AT)
Chirang, Sept 29: Efforts are being made to establish a temporary immigration office at Dadgiri-Hatisar along the India-Bhutan border in Chirang district, in preparation for an event scheduled for November 1 in Bhutan.
This temporary facility will be located at the 6th Battalion Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) camp, as there is currently no immigration office in the vicinity, according to Chirang District Commissioner Gokul Chandra Brahma, who spoke after a high-level meeting held in Dadgiri.
“Due to the absence of an immigration office in this region, the Government of India, in partnership with the Government of Assam and the district administration, has decided to establish a temporary immigration office for one month. Preparations are actively underway at the 6th Battalion SSB camp,” he stated.
On November 1, 2026, Bhutan plans to inaugurate 108 Jangchub Chortens as part of “Project 108” and is anticipated to announce the Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Brahma mentioned that approximately 5,000 visitors are expected to attend the event, although the precise number is still being finalized. Out of these, around 1,500 individuals are likely to pass through Chirang to reach Gelephu.
“The administration is also focused on maintaining cleanliness and upkeep in the Dadgiri-Hatisar border area, with discussions underway to enhance the region with heritage-related features in anticipation of the expected visitor influx,” Brahma added.
These preparations coincide with the increasing economic and institutional collaboration between Assam and Bhutan regarding the Gelephu project.
In June 2025, an 11-member delegation from the Gelephu Mindfulness City project met with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati to discuss potential cooperation in sectors such as education, healthcare, sustainable development, and cultural exchange.
Bhutan’s Queen Mother has previously characterized the Gelephu project as a future hub where economic activities will harmonize with spiritual balance and green innovation, highlighting the potential blending of Bodo heritage with Bhutanese culture.
Additionally, connectivity between Assam and Gelephu is set to improve significantly with the proposed 69.04-km Kokrajhar-Gelephu railway line.
This project, estimated to cost around Rs 3,500 crore, aims to link Kokrajhar in Assam with Gelephu in Bhutan and will feature six new stations: Balajan, Garubhasa, Runikhata, Shantipur, Dadgiri, and Gelephu, along with bridges and road overpasses and underpasses.
The proposed railway connection is expected to enhance connectivity between Assam and Bhutan, positioning the Bodoland Territorial Region as a vital trade and transit corridor.