DHANGADHI: Citing the uncertainty looming over future of Gauriphanta customs point, major trade route between Nepal’s Province 7 and India, the province assembly has demanded Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to include Gauriphanta border as a major agenda on his visit to India.

A provincial assembly held on Thursday saw majority of representatives opining on issues of Gauriphanta trade route in an attempt to draw government’s attention.

“80 per cent of denizens of Province use Gauriphanta trade route,” Nepali Congress lawmaker Bharat Bahadur Khadka said, “Earlier, an agreement was made with India on upgrading the customs during former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s visit. Now, for implementation of previous arrangements, PM Oli must put the agreement as major agenda of his visit.”

According to Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal’s lawmaker Malamati Rana, media reports have surfaced against upgrading of Gauriphanta customs point, if that is the case Dhangadhi-Godavari six-lane-highway will be of no use.

It has been said that Indian envoy to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri during his visit to Dhangadhi past week said that upgrading of Gauriphanta border was not be expected, sparking waves of anxiety among provincial assembly members and stakeholders.

The Gauriphanta border has been in operation since 1905 AD. Earlier, the region had a railway track running from India’s Paliya to Gauriphanta. However, government of India closed down roadway and rail service in 1994 citing importance of Dudhwa National Park situated on the region.

The stake holders now have raised suspicions of the trade route coming to a complete halt after Indian government closed Gauriphanta market, a week ago.