After four years, the eastern border crossing at Kakarbhitta has reopened for third-country tourists. This follows the Indian government’s decision to lift the travel ban imposed on all tourists except those from Bhutan due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kakarbhitta Immigration Office Chief, Mohan Paneru, confirmed that the border was reopened for third-country tourists following notification from the Indian immigration authorities on July 31st.
Paneru noted, “On July 31st, we received information from the Indian immigration office that the border was open for tourists. Since then, we have seen the movement of tourists both entering from and departing to India.” While other border points in Nepal had resumed tourist traffic post-pandemic, the eastern border had remained closed by the Indian side, ceasing third-country tourist arrivals for the past four years. Tourism operators have consistently lobbied for the reopening of the border for third-country tourists.
Since the border has been reopened, more than a dozen citizens from countries including the UK, USA, and Switzerland have entered Nepal via India, and an equal number of tourists have traveled to India from Nepal. The Kakarbhitta entry point, along with Panitanki in West Bengal, India, houses immigration offices for both countries. However, unlike in the past, the Indian immigration office in Panitanki is not issuing on-arrival visas.
Only third-country nationals with valid Nepalese visas are now being permitted entry by Indian immigration. Punya Prasad Bhattarai, President of the Nepal Association of Tours and Travel Agents (NATTA) Koshi Province stated that the prolonged restriction by Indian immigration had adversely impacted tourism in eastern Nepal. He expressed optimism that the reopening of the border would boost tourist activities in the eastern region, contributing positively to the country’s economy.
With the reopening of the Kakarbhitta border, it is expected that there will be an increase in tourist traffic, enhancing the vibrancy of the local tourism sector and providing a much-needed boost to the national economy.
