28 March 2009
The border town of Phuentsholing was the latest to possess one at its main gate where over 800 vehicles ply each day, to and from the Indian border towns. Such improved disinfectant facilities have already been put to use in the border towns of Samtse, Gomtu, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.
According to officials at Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA), the improved facility was more effective in disinfecting vehicles and other risks compared to the existing power sprayer machines.
“The disinfectants will be sprayed from every angle on the vehicles. The steel frames are not permanent. And disinfectants from all the directions will not be used always. It will be used only during critical times, such as an outbreak across the border.” said a BAFRA official.
Dr Sithar Dorji of BAFRA said that the frames of the vehicle disinfection system could be dismantled when the disease outbreak subsided and the risk of the entry of the virus was minimal. In case of an emergency, it could also be assembled within an hour.
He said the construction was completed in critical time when there are widespread epidemic outbreaks of bird flu continuing in the neighbouring district of Assam and West Bengal, very close to Bhutan borders.
The facility in Phuentsholing was also expected to minimise the traffic congestion and inconvenience caused to the travellers at the main gate.
The cabinet approved the construction of the vehicle disinfection facilities at all the main border entry points during the 15th session of Lhengye Zhungtshog held on August 26, 2008.
Although import of poultry products are banned in Bhutan, it is observed that chicken is sold openly just a few metres away from the boundary walls on the Indian side of the border. Many Bhutanese live in rented houses in Jaigoan, West Bengal, India, due to shortage of houses in Phuetnsholing.
The Agriculture Minister Pema Gyamtsho inaugurated the vehicle disinfection facilities in Phuentsholing on Tuesday, March 24.
No comments:
Post a Comment