Thimphu (PTI): A new entry and exit point in Phuentsholing along the India-Bhutan frontier will soon come up to ease traffic at the border town.

The place for the gate is tentatively identified near the State Trading Corporation of Bhutan office in lower Phuentsholing.

This was decided between Bhutanese and West Bengal officials at the recent 18th Border Coordination meeting at Kalimpong in the eastern state.

Bhutan's consul in Kolkata, Tshering Wangda, who led that country's delegation, said a high-level committee has been formed with officials from Chukha district (Bhutan) and Jalpaiguri district (West Bengal) to survey the location of the gate.

District Magistrate of Darjeeling, S Gupta, said increased vehicular and human traffic at the present Phuentsholing gate had crowded the area, disrupting smooth flow of vehicles and people.

"Regular contacts, exchange of views and ideas and good communication between the two governments are necessary to implement the decision taken," he said.

According to Bhutan's state-run daily Kuensel, the meeting also decided to widen the clearance area near the Phuentsholing gate on the Indian side. The clearance area will be extended up to the Jaigaon police station.

The meeting also discussed security issues and reviewed decisions taken during the 17th coordination meeting. Earlier, officials of the Himalayan country held discussions with their Assam counterparts on development activities, apart from insurgency and border issues.