BAITADI: The Nepal-India coordination meeting concluded in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand State, India with an agreement to open the Jhulaghat checkpoint from 6:00 am every day.

The meeting was attended by the chief district officers of Baitadi and Darchula of Nepal while the chief district officer of Pithoragarh decided to open the checkpoint that is adjacent to Baitadi district.

Earlier, the border point used to be opened at 7:00 am causing sheer inconvenience for people in both countries especially those Nepalis going to India for medical treatment and shopping.

Chief District Officer of Baitadi, Suresh Panthi, shared that the officials in the meeting decided to open the checkpoint an hour earlier than the previously set time. “Now onwards, the Jhulaghat checkpoint will open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm keeping in view the convenience of people from both countries,” added Panthi.

The officials of both countries agreed to augment cooperation in a wide range of areas such as operating rubber boats in the Mahakali River, collaborating between the security agencies of both countries for disaster response efforts, preventing the dumping of garbage into the river, and operating a joint patrol along the border to control human trafficking and wildlife smuggling.

Furthermore, both sides agreed to coordinate efforts to curb illegal and criminal activities in the bordering areas and to repair the age-old suspension bridge at Jhulaghat after forming a technical committee in both countries.

Similarly, the detailed project report to construct a motorable bridge at Jhulaghat has been prepared and sent to the central government of India, it was shared in the meeting.

It may be noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the construction of a motorable bridge at Jhulaghat during the official visit of Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to India.

Similarly, the Chief District Officer of Darchula district, Kiran Joshi, informed that in the meeting, the Indian officials proposed to lift water from the Mahakali River to address drinking water shortage in Dhurchula, while the Nepal sides proposed the import of fuel to run the generator at Byas, Darchula reasoning that there was no electricity. The discussion also featured the issues including the illegal supply of drugs along the border.

The meeting was attended by Darchula CDO Joshi, Baitadi CDO Panthi, and Chiefs of Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force in Baitadi and Darchula districts from Nepali side while Dharchula Officer Rina Joshi and chiefs of security bodies from Indian side.

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