Bus service to Bodhgaya
« Lyonpo Minjur Dorji and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar
Dorji Dhen With the number of Bhutanese pilgrims visiting Bodhgaya in Bihar increasing every year, the government had talked to the Bihar state government to start a direct bus service from Phuenstholing to Bodhgaya soon.
This was decided after home minister Minjur Dorji’s visit to Bihar last week. Lyonpo Minjur Dorji said the bus service, which would be run by the Indians, will ease the transportation problem for Bhutanese pilgrims, who usually faced a great problem getting to Bodhgaya. He said, today, people travel by buses from Phuentsholing, and some hired trucks and mini trucks from Siliguri to Bodhgaya.
Lyonpo Minjur Dorji recalled some accidents that took place in India in the past years, and said accidents happened because some drivers were not used to driving in India, and because pilgrims look for cheaper transport, which compromises safety. “There are a lot of dangers associated with travelling to Dorji Dhen or Bodhgaya,” he said.
Lyonpo, who met Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar, said his request to start the bus service was granted, provided the Bhutanese counterpart provided a safe parking lot in Phuentsholing. “If they can provide a bus service, the parking lot shouldn’t be a problem,” said the minister, who looked contented with the idea.
Although not finalised, the one-way fare would cost around Nu 800 per person, which is cheaper compared to other modes of transportation.
The minister said the government initially requested Bihar government for a special train service till Phuentsholing, which was agreed. “But due to some communication gap and the high cost involved, it couldn’t materialise,” he said.
Source: kuenselonline