SIRAHA: Bhaltar Danda, situated about 10 kilometers north of Dhangadhimai’s Zero Mile along the East-West Highway, has emerged as a growing destination for domestic tourists.
Its natural beauty, clean and peaceful environment, convenient access, and newly developed photo-friendly spots have led to a steady rise in visitors.
Locals say tourism has surged sharply in the past six months following the paving and expansion of the road leading to the area. The improved road connectivity has not only increased tourist arrivals but also made it easier for farmers to transport agricultural products to the Dhangadhimai market.
The road now extends to Sarre-Ambas in Ward No. 14, strengthening links between the hilly settlements and the market. Visitors to Bhaltar Danda are drawn to its lush greenery, views of the Chure hills, cool breeze, and tranquility.
The number of people coming for picnics, recreational outings, hiking, and mental refreshment has grown significantly. Along with this influx, the number of hotels and restaurants in Bhaltar is also rising.
Roshan Rai, owner of the View Hotel, said, “Although we’ve been running the hotel for eight years, there weren’t many visitors before. But with recent infrastructure development, the number of tourists has increased noticeably—even visitors from neighboring India are coming.”
He added that many tourists pre-order meals, while others arrive on foot, often seeking local chicken dishes and a refreshing environment. According to hoteliers, the daily flow of tourists has doubled since road improvements were completed.
Dhangadhimai Municipality, in coordination with locals, is accelerating efforts to develop Bhaltar Danda into an organized tourism zone. Ward 13 Chair Suryaman Tamang said, “Tourist attraction has increased tremendously in recent years. To develop this area as a managed tourism destination, we are prioritizing promotion, identifying view-points, conducting cleaning campaigns, and building essential infrastructure.”
He added that nearby Dhangadhimai Chowk is being strengthened as a tourism hub with expanded business and transport services. With its scenic landscape, expanding hospitality sector, improved transport access, and rising domestic and cross-border tourist arrivals, Bhaltar Danda has strong potential to develop into a mini hill station, said local youth Birendra Chaudhary.
Since such hilly views are rare in the Madhesh Province, he stressed the need for local authorities to promote the area and link tourism growth with employment opportunities for residents.
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