India to propose amendments in Asian Highway routes

New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for proposing to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations (UNESCAP) to link Bhutan by extending the Asian Highway-48.

The Cabinet would also propose inclusion of Phulbari between Banglabandha and Siliguri and defining the route of AH-2 at this location as "...Banglabandha-Phulbari-Siliguri-Kakarbhitta".

The link to Bhutan would be provided by extending route or AH-48 from "Thimphu-Phuentsholing-Jaigaon-Hasimara-Jalpaigui-Phulbari" in place of "Phuentsholing - Border of India", as indicated now, and consequently connect with AH-2 at Phulbari in India.

AH-2 and AH-48 are defined in the List of Asian highway Routes of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on the Asian Highway Network.

"By extending the AH-48 from Thimphu-Phuentsholing (Bhutan) to Jaigaon, Border Point in India, and giving connectivity to AH-2 in India will provide connectivity of Asian Highway Route from Bhutan to India, as well as to both Bangladesh and Nepal," a Cabinet release said.

This will help to increase trade and tourism in the region.

ANI