DHUBRI: After years of consistent efforts by Necardo, an NGO, an immigration check-point was opened in Dhubri by clearing papers of foreign tourists to visit Bangladesh through the river route from Dhubri recently.
Officials of Customs and Immigration check-point for Dhubri district said that it was formally opened on May 1 by clearing papers of immigration of a delegation of six foreign tourists and two Indian citizens to travel through the river route to cross the Indo-Bangladesh border and visit Bangladesh.
Officials said that this was a big step towards promoting river-based tourism through Dhubri point, the demand for which had been raised since long and finally came true.
The North East Craft and Rural Development Organisation (Necardo), an NGO, had taken up the matter with the Central Government long ago and had been liaising to open the immigration check point facility at Dhubri.
Director of Necardo, Binoy Bhattacharjee, also brought out a book titled ‘A Journey of Development Activism in Indo-Bangla Border’ a couple of years ago, wherein he highlighted the problems and potential in border areas in details.
Talking to The Sentinel, Bhattacharjee said that this would not only open flow of tourists through this immigration check point but also promote trade between the two countries. “Trade and tourism will get a boost and fillip as it will be the cheapest and easiest route to Bangladesh. Necardo is also making efforts to set up markets (haats) at the international border area at Sonahat International Trade Centre in Dhubri like Dawki haat in Meghalaya,”Bhattacharjee said.
The tourist team, accompanied by Bhattacharjee, visited Asharikandi Terracotta village in Dhubri district and Gurudwara Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Sahibji and many other places during their stay in Dhubri and left for Bangladesh. The team arrived in Dhubri from Pandu port in Guwahati and visited various places of tourist and cultural interest in Dhubri district, a police source said.
