Anyone entering and exiting Bhutan through Phuentsholing on foot will have to shell out 10 Ngultrum (Bhutanese currency) from November 1 irrespective of his or her nationality.

Phuentsholing is the commercial capital of the Himalayan kingdom and shares the border with Jaigaon, which is in the Alipurduar district of Bengal. Ten Ngultrum is equivalent to Rs 10 rupees.

The introduction of the new fee was intimated through a notification issued by the regional director in the regional immigration office at Phuentsholing on October 23.

“The fee will be charged from Bhutan nationals as well as foreigners crossing the international border on foot. It can be paid in cash or through mobile apps,” said a source.

The decision has been taken a month after Bhutan reopened its land borders with India. The international border had been closed in March 2020 because of Covid-19.

During this period, Bhutan brought in a slew of changes in its tourism policy and announced a daily sustainable development fee (SDF) of 1,200 Ngultrum (Rs 1,200) that would be charged from every Indian during his/her stay in the country.

Bhutan also set up an integrated pedestrian terminal at Phuentsholing through which one has to pass to finish all formalities like submitting his details and obtaining permits and visas to travel to other places in the kingdom.

Traders at Jaigaon, who are largely dependent on customers from Bhutan, said the new user fee would be yet another additional expenditure for most merchants.

“Many of us will have to spend Rs 200 or more a day as we and our workers enter Bhutan a number of times for various errands,” said Samar Das, a local trader.