DHANGADHI: Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City has been providing food and hygiene kits free of cost to Nepalis returning home from India via Trinagar border checkpoint since March.

The Sub-metropolis has been providing food for Nepalis who are tired after a long journey from India since the time the government imposed nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Deputy mayor of Dhangadhi, Sushila Mishra said the sub-metropolis in coordination with social organisation and donors has been working to facilitate free food to the returnees from India since the beginning of lockdown. "We have continued providing food and water free of cost with the help of different organisations and donors," Bhatta said and added that the hygiene kits were being provided with the help of Hope Bridge organisation. The hygiene kits consist of soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, sanitiser and mask among other materials.

For the past three weeks, local Adarsha youth Club has been assisting in cooking and distributing foods. The club's president Niranjan Khadka said that the club has been helping in cooking and providing the food made available by Dhangadhi Sub-metropolis. People gather under the shadow of a tree near the bridge over Mohana River for the food.

Khadka added that the sub-metropolis had coordinated very well to manage the free food facility.

The record at health desk established at Trinagar border point shows the entry of 400 to 500 Nepalis from India on daily basis.

Around 300 to 500 people returning home from India via Trinagar point are provided with food and hygiene packages on daily basis.