Restoration and maintenance of border pillars begin in Kailali

KATHMANDU: The restoration and repainting of Nepal-India border pillars in Kailali district have commenced.

The initiative began on Thursday in the presence of Chief District Officer (CDO) Gogan Bahadur Hamal and security agencies from both Nepal and India. The maintenance started with the repainting of Border Pillar No. 73/2, located in Khakraula, Tikapur-8.

Among the seven primary border pillars in the Tikapur Municipality area, only pillars numbered 700, 705, and 707 remain intact.

The Karnali and Mohana rivers have swept away several other main and auxiliary pillars, while Border Pillar No. 704 remains at risk. Local residents have urged authorities to safeguard this pillar.

Speaking at the event, CDO Hamal emphasized the shared responsibility of Nepal and India in maintaining border pillars.

“We are committed to upholding the shared values and principles between the two countries, ensuring coordination among security forces on both sides,” he said.

Hamal also pointed out the challenges posed by the open border, including cross-border smuggling and criminal activities.

“Crimes committed in Nepal often find refuge in India, and vice versa. It is imperative for security forces from both nations to collaborate in tackling these issues,” he said.

The restoration project aligns with the agreement where Nepal is responsible for maintaining odd-numbered border pillars, while India oversees even-numbered ones. This includes repainting and repairing odd-numbered pillars in Kailali.

A total of 101 border pillars in the district are set to undergo restoration. Representatives from Nepal’s Armed Police Force and India’s Border Security Force (SSB) are jointly overseeing the process.

The event was attended by prominent officials, including SSB Chief Rekzin N. Chok, Armed Police Force Kailali Chief Dal Bahadur Pandey, District Police Chief Padam Bahadur Bista, and Acting Mayor of Tikapur Municipality Lalbir Chaudhary, among others.

The Karnali and Mohana rivers have significantly altered their courses, eroding nearby settlements and washing away key and auxiliary border pillars.

This poses ongoing challenges for both countries in managing their shared border effectively.