Shillong, June 12: Former Rajya Sabha MP W.R. Kharlukhi has said that upgrading the Borsora-Ranikor border area in South West Khasi Hills into a full-fledged Land Port could significantly boost Meghalaya’s economy through increased trade, employment, and infrastructure development.

Speaking to the media, he said the proposal to strengthen border trade through Borsora has been under discussion between India and Bangladesh for several years. He added that he had personally raised the matter in Parliament during his tenure and followed up with various ministries, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and DoNER.

Dr. Kharlukhi also mentioned discussions with Bangladesh’s former High Commissioner M. Riaz Hamidullah and positive feedback from Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia regarding the development of a permanent trade infrastructure at Borsora.

He said that land has already been acquired for a customs facility, but the existing setup still operates from rented premises. Upgrading the Land Customs Station into an Integrated Check Post or Land Port, similar to Dawki, could turn Borsora into a major trade gateway.

According to him, the project would benefit sectors such as agriculture, limestone export, broom grass trade, logistics, transport, hospitality, and small businesses. It would also improve connectivity between Borsora, Ranikor, and nearby regions.

Dr. Kharlukhi further emphasized that better infrastructure could also promote tourism and cross-border cultural exchange between Meghalaya and Bangladesh, strengthening long-term economic cooperation under a proposed “Look South Policy.”

However, he noted that despite groundwork being in place, the Centre has not yet made an official announcement on upgrading Borsora into a full-fledged Land Port or Integrated Check Post.