The Hindu : National : Sherathang mart to be opened

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 12, 2005

National

National

Sherathang mart to be opened

Marcus Dam

To facilitate trade between India and China

KOLKATA: The Sherathang trade mart at an altitude of above 13,000 feet, set up for facilitating trade between India and China through the Nathu La pass in the East Sikkim district, is scheduled to be inaugurated on October 2.

A "symbolic re-opening of the trade route" was proposed by the Indian authorities but there has been no affirmation from the Chinese side, official sources said. The mart is sp read over 10 acres that has been handed over to the Sikkim Government by the Indian Army. The road connecting it to Nathu La, six km away, is being fenced, forming a "corridor" through which traders from the two countries can transport items once trade, which has been suspended since the 1962 conflict, is resumed.

"The date for the resumption of trade through Nathu La is a matter to be decided upon by the Ministries of Home and External Affairs. Our responsibility is to make ready the infrastructure for the initial phase of bilateral trade with the setting up of the Sherathang trade mart. This has been done," Sikkim's Director, Commerce and Industries, S. P. Subba, told The Hindu from Gangtok on Sunday.

ITBP security

Army barracks in Sherathang have been converted into "sheds with thermal heating" where commodities can be stored. A shopping centre, warehouses, immigration and customs offices and weigh-bridges are also being set up. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will be overseeing security. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently released Rs. 2.50 crores for setting up the temporary infrastructure. Local authorities are expecting another Rs. 5 crores for the purpose. The Nathu La Trade Study Group, set up by the Sikkim Government, has submitted a final report to the State authorities following a visit to Tibet.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National