Jaigaon, Jan. 13: Border demarcation and encroachment were the two main issues that were discussed by officials of the Indian and Royal Bhutan governments at a hotel in Phuentsholing just across the border here today.

A host of officials representing the districts through which the border with the Himalayan Kingdom passes, also took part in the session.

The meet was attended by the director (north) of the Indian ministry of external affairs, A.K. Malhotra, and Brigadier B.D. Sharma, the director of Survey of India. The Bhutanese side was represented by the district magistrate of Chukha, Dawala, and Choki Khorio, the joint director of Survey of Bhutan.

Sharma said according to the survey conducted in 2000-2001, both the countries shared a 689-km border that passed through West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

After the meeting, Malhotra pointed out that both sides were serious about removing encroachments along the border. ?This always creates tension and is not desirable,? the official from the ministry of external affairs said.

He pointed out that many of the pillars that marked the boundary between the two countries had crumbled due to exposure or washed away by floods. ?We are conducting a thorough survey after which the pillars will be re-erected. This is a task that will be undertaken by the district administrations, which will also have to ensure that there are no encroachments from our side,? Sharma said.

Sources said the PWD had already estimated that around Rs 30 lakh was required to install the pillars once again along the 182-km border that passed through Bengal. ?The work will commence soon,? Sharma said.

?This is a routine meeting. The last one we had was from November 6 to 8 last year. Today?s talks were very cordial,? Dawala said.

The meeting also addressed a recent development in the Hanuman Mandir area, an important trading hub between the two countries. Local traders have been protesting the Bhutan government?s removal of a wooden platform, which was an affective shortcut to the country. Kapildeb Prasad, a trader, said ever since the platform was removed, it has become difficult to send and receive goods from Bhutan.

Malhotra, however, has said the Bhutan government had no plans to barricade the area permanently.