Dawki, Border checkpoint in Jaintia Hills district, India
Dawki is a border town in Jaintia Hills district, India, where the Umngot River flows and forms a natural boundary between the Jaintia and Khasi hills. The water stays so clear throughout the year that you can see the riverbed even at deep spots.
British engineers built a suspension bridge over the Umngot in 1932 to create an important transport link in the region. This bridge is still in use today and connects both banks to each other.
Residents speak War, Khasi and English, reflecting the mixed origins of the people in this border town. Many families have lived here for generations and work with the river, the markets or the trade between both countries.
Buses run regularly from Shillong to Dawki, the route is about 70 kilometers long and takes around two hours. Shared transport starts every morning from Iewduh market.
The checkpoint processes around 500 trucks per day during peak season, mainly transporting coal between India and Bangladesh. The queues of vehicles can stretch for several kilometers.
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