Province 7 PA wants PM Oli to seek upgradation of Gauriphanta entry point

Dhangadi, April 5

Province 7 Assembly members today stressed that upgradation of Gauriphanta entry point be included as a major agenda during the prime minister’s upcoming India visit.

Speaking during zero hour at the Provincial Assembly meeting today, most legislators, including CPN-UML’s Purna Joshi, Nepali Congress’ Bharat Bahadur Khadka, Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal’s Malamati Rana stressed the need to upgrade the Gauriphanta entry point on the Nepal-India border. “Upgradation of the entry point used by more than 80 per cent population of the province is an imperative,” they said, drawing the provincial government’s attention to ensure inclusion of issue during the premier’s impending India visit by endorsing the same through the PA.

“Gauriphanta is already a major entry point for this belt and its importance has increased all the more after formation of the province with Dhangadhi as its provincial headquarters,” they reasoned. Earlier, Indian ambassador to Nepal, Manjeev Singh Puri, at a meeting with local entrepreneurs in Dhangadi a week ago, had told the latter not to expect upgradation of the entry point, a remark which had raised huge concerns in the province. The entry point has been in operation since 1905.

Though there was also a railway line from Paliya to Gauriphanta, the Indian government in 1994 had decided to shut the railway, besides the local Gauriphanta bazaar and Gauriphanta road citing the Dhudhuwa National Park on the railway route. While the road is practically in operation, till date, authorities in Nepal are worried lest the entry point be closed after Indian authorities about a week ago shut the local Gauriphanta bazaar.