CCMC decides to open checkpoints including Birgunj

KATHMANDU: The border checkpoints with India, including Birgunj, which were closed since last year due to corona infection, will be reopened from Thursday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the high-level Central Covid-19 Management Center (CCMC) chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishwor Pokharel.

A meeting of the CCMC held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Thursday has decided to recommend for the operation of transport between Nepal and India.

Earlier, the cabinet meeting on January 26 decided to open 30 sites across the country, including Birgunj, and circulated a circular to the concerned district administration office. Business and tourism activities of hotels in and around Birgunj have declined due to non-opening of Birgunj checkpoint.

The Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association Parsa and Tourism Journalists Association Parsa had handed over a memorandum to Deputy Prime Minister Pokharel on Wednesday demanding the opening of the checkpoint. Both the unions handed over the memorandum after reaching the minister’s residence. Hotels and resorts in and around Birgunj are run by 70 to 80 percent Indian tourists.

Last week, the Association of Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs, Parsa, announced a ‘Partnership for Tourism Revival’ program to revive tourism activities. Entrepreneurs say that around Rs 6.5 billion investment of hotel and restaurant in Birgunj is at risk when the checkpoint is closed for a year. India has opened the border with Nepal since Kartik 6.