Bhaltardada, located about 10 kilometers north of Dhangadhi Mai Zero Mile along the East–West Highway, has rapidly gained popularity as a new destination for domestic tourists. Its natural scenery, peaceful atmosphere, easy accessibility, photogenic viewpoints, and newly built structures have made it increasingly crowded with visitors.
Road Expansion Boosts Tourism and Local Trade
Locals report that tourism activity surged notably after the access road to Selfie Danda, as Bhaltardada is also known, was blacktopped about six months ago. The improved road has not only increased tourist arrivals but also made it easier for farmers to transport their agricultural products to the Dhangadhi Mai market. The road has now been extended up to Sarre–Ambas in Ward No. 14, strengthening the connection between the hill settlements and the marketplace.
Growing Tourist Appeal and Rising Hospitality Businesses
Visitors arriving at Bhaltardada are captivated by the lush greenery, surrounding Chure hills, cool breeze, and serene atmosphere. The area has become a favored spot for family picnics, friendly gatherings, hiking, and relaxation, with tourist footfall rising sharply in recent months. As a result, the number of hotels and restaurants in the area has also grown.
Roshan Rai, operator of View Hotel Bhaltar, shared, “We have been running this hotel for eight years, but earlier we rarely saw visitors. Lately, with infrastructure development, the number of tourists has increased significantly. Visitors even come from neighboring India.”
Rai added that many tourists call ahead to place food orders, while others arrive spontaneously. “Most visitors especially come to taste local chicken dishes. The number of people coming to enjoy the fresh and relaxing environment keeps rising,” he said. According to hoteliers, daily tourist arrivals have nearly doubled since the road improvement.
Local Authorities Prioritize Tourism Development
Dhangadhi Mai Municipality and the local community are intensifying efforts to develop Bhaltardada into a well-organized tourism hub. Ward No. 13 Chairperson Suryaman Tamang stated, “Tourist attraction in Bhaltardada has grown tremendously in recent years. Therefore, we have prioritized promoting the area through dedicated publicity, identifying new viewpoints, launching cleanliness campaigns, and constructing necessary infrastructure.” He further mentioned that the nearby Dhangadhi Mai Chowk is gradually expanding businesses and transport services to support the area’s tourism potential.
Potential to Become a ‘Mini Hill Station’ of Madhesh Province
Local youth Birendra Chaudhary believes that Bhaltardada has strong potential to evolve into a ‘mini hill station’ due to its scenic landscape, growing hospitality services, improved transportation access, and rising domestic and cross-border tourist arrivals. He emphasized that Bhaltardada is one of the few places in Madhesh Province offering such enchanting hill views, and urged the local government to promote the site and link tourism with local employment generation.
