Kharibari, 07th August: After a four-year hiatus, foreign nationals can once again cross the Indo-Nepal border at Kharibari’s Panitanki. The travel restrictions, imposed by the immigration department of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs during the Covid-19 pandemic, have now been lifted, reopening the land port.
The prolonged closure had caused significant challenges for tourists and traders, particularly affecting the tourism and border trade industries. With the reopening, border traders and tourism businesses are optimistic about the future.
The President of Panitanki Byabasayee Samiti expressed relief, stating that the reopening would restore the old glory and positively impact border trade, which had suffered during the restrictions.
Tourism businessman Samrat Sanyal welcomed the news, noting that the closure had created difficulties for foreign tourists traveling between India, Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan. He believes that lifting the restrictions will rejuvenate the tourism industry in both India and Nepal, marking a positive development for the region.