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Gelephu
Thromde in Sarpang District, Bhutan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Gelephu (Dzongkha: དགེ་ལེགས་ཕུ་; Wylie: dge-legs-phu), also spelled as Gelyephug, Gelegphu,[1][2] Gaylegphug, or Gaylephug,[3] (IATA: GLU) is a town or Thromde in Sarpang District in Bhutan.[1] It is located on the Indian border, about 30 km to the east of Sarpang, the Dzongkhag (District) headquarters,[4] and has a population of 9,858 as per the 2017 census.[5] It is one of the border markets and road entry points into Bhutan from India;[6] Phuntsholing to its west and Samdrup Jongkhar to its east are two other border market road entry points into Bhutan.
Gelephu is located near the border with Assam, India. Positioned along the banks of the Mao River, it serves as a key commercial and transit hub, connecting Bhutan to India via the Gelephu–Kokrajhar road and the proposed Gelephu–Kokrajhar railway link.
The Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is an planned zero-carbon urban development project initiated by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in December 2023, aiming to blend Bhutanese cultural values, sustainability, and economic growth. GMC is a special administrative region in Gelephu, separate from Bhutan's existing laws. Strategically located on the border with India to leverage regional connectivity betweem South Asia and South East Asia, it will cover an area of 2,500 square kilometers, or three times the size of Singapore.[7][8]
Gelephu is also home to the Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital and is set to host Bhutan's second international airport by 2029, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. [9][10][11]
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History
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Early Settlement and Indigenous Inhabitants
Gelephu, situated in the subtropical plains of Sarpang District in southern Bhutan, has long been home to indigenous communities, notably the Lhotshampa people of Nepali descent. The fertile lands along the Mao River supported early agrarian settlements, with rice cultivation and livestock rearing forming the backbone of the local economy. Historical records suggest that Gelephu was part of ancient trade routes connecting Bhutan to neighboring regions in Assam, India, facilitating the exchange of goods such as grains and handicrafts. These early communities developed a rich cultural tapestry, blending Bhutanese and Nepali traditions, though detailed archaeological evidence remains limited. [12]
Emergence as a Trading Hub (19th–Early 20th Century)
By the 19th century, Gelephu’s strategic location near the Indian border established it as a key trading hub. The town became a vital link for cross-border commerce, with merchants trading agricultural products, timber, and textiles between Bhutan and Assam. This period saw the development of informal markets and seasonal trade fairs, strengthening economic and cultural ties with India. The formalization of border checkpoints in the early 20th century, following Bhutan’s consolidation under the Wangchuck dynasty, enhanced Gelephu’s role as a gateway. Basic road networks began to emerge, connecting Gelephu to other Bhutanese towns and facilitating the movement of goods and people. The Lhotshampa community played a significant role in shaping the town’s multicultural identity during this time. [13]
In the 1960s, the original settlement was moved from the banks of Mo Chhu to the present area, which used to be known as Hati Sahar (elephant place).[14]
Modern Development (1970s–2000s)
Under the reign of the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Gelephu underwent significant modernization as part of Bhutan’s broader development initiatives guided by the Gross National Happiness (GNH) philosophy. In the 1970s and 1980s, the town saw improvements in infrastructure, including the establishment of the Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital and several educational institutions, which bolstered healthcare and literacy in the region. The construction of the Gelephu Airport in 2011, one of Bhutan’s four domestic airports at the time, marked a pivotal moment, enabling better connectivity within the country despite its initial capacity for only small aircraft. Additionally, a small-scale industrial estate was developed to promote local employment, though agriculture remained the dominant economic activity. The transition to a constitutional monarchy in 2008 further integrated Gelephu into national development plans, emphasizing sustainable growth and regional equity. [15]
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Urban development
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Gelephu Thromde has 11.52 km2 planning boundary area which can be increased further. It has 6 sub zones (Demkhong) listed as 1. Trashiling, 2. Namkhaling, 3. Jampeling, 4. Rabtengling, 5. Samdrupling, 6. Sonam Gatsel. Core market area is very close to the Indo-Bhutan border. Ashish Kumar Chauhan is also one of the Urban Planner while delineating the boundaries of Industrial Area Plan and Local Area Plan 4 & 5.[16]
One theme of the Gelephu Plan is to develop inter-linked open-green spaces for use as recreation, sports, walking, cycling, exercising and play gardens that can provide an excellent opportunity to promote planned growth of Gelephu unlike many other settlements.[14]
In December 2023, during the 116th National Day celebration, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck unveiled a project to establish a Special Administrative Region in Gelephu called Gelephu Mindfulness City[17] or the Gelephu Special Administrative Region. The project spans 1,000 square kilometers. Inspired by Bhutanese culture and Gross National Happiness principles, the plan includes an international airport, railways, a hydroelectric dam, and diverse public spaces.[18][19]
The Construction Development Corporation Limited (CDCL), fully owned by the Royal Government of Bhutan, following a 1996-1997 merger and subsequently upgraded the Gelephu workshop which now serves CDCL's Sarpang, Phuentsholing, and Zhemgang Field Divisions, covering a wide central region, with field support from workshops in Sarpang and Mangdechu.[20][21]
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Trade and commerce
The location of Gelephu is favorable for cross-border trade between India and Bhutan.[22] From that Indo-Bhutan border gate Bongaigaon, the sixth largest city of Ainamssamerging as business node for the economics affairs i.e., business dealing & logistic supports is 78 km away.
India continues to play a pivotal role in the GMC project, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing support during discussions with Bhutanese leadership. A roadshow in August 2024, organized by the Punjab, Haryana, Delhi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted opportunities for Indian investment in infrastructure, hospitality, and wellness sectors. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, speaking at the International Cooperative Alliance conference in New Delhi on November 25, 2024, described the GMC as a "co-operative project" spanning 2,500 square kilometers, emphasizing its zero-carbon goals. The proposed 69.04-km Gelephu-Kokrajhar railway link, awaiting Indian government approval as of July 2025, aims to boost regional trade and connectivity. [23][24][25]
Transport
Gelephu Airport was completed in 2012, after being planned in the early 2000s.[26][27] In 2023, it was announced that a new international airport would be built as part of the proposed Gelephu Special Administrative Region. The existing domestic airport will remain operational.[28][29]
In July 2025, construction of the Gelephu International Airport (GIA), a key component of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, began with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 8, 2025, attended by Their Majesties and senior officials. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the airport integrates Bhutanese cultural elements and aims to be a carbon-neutral mobility hub with public transport options like trackless trams. Set to open by 2029, it will serve as Bhutan's second international gateway, enhancing regional connectivity with Assam, India, and supporting trade and tourism. Over 3,000 volunteers have contributed to the project, with ongoing royal support. [30][31]
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Health
In July 2025, the Gelephu Central Regional Referral Hospital (CRRH) established a Health and Medical Research Centre in July 2025, aiming to become a global leader within the GMC framework. [32][33]
Tourism
Key attractions include the Gelephu Tshachu (a hot spring in the southern plains of Gelephu known for its miraculous healing power and properties, inaugurated by the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1962),[34] Royal Manas National Park, Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary, Nyimalung Monastery, Tali Monastery, and Threma Lhakhang (temple).
In August 2025, the local hospitality sector reported a post-pandemic recovery, with hotels and restaurants experiencing increased visitor numbers in August 2025, driven by the GMC's growing prominence as a tourist destination. [35]
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Climate
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See also
References
External links
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