In a significant move to bolster cross-border ties, Nepal's Ambassador to India, Shankar Prasad Sharma, undertook a two-day visit to the border districts of Uttarakhand. The visit, which concluded on Friday, was focused on reviewing critical infrastructure projects designed to enhance connectivity and cooperation between the two neighbouring nations.
Focus on Trade and Transport Infrastructure
The ambassador's itinerary included key sites in both Pithoragarh and Champawat districts. According to SDM Tanakpur Ashok Joshi, Sharma's tour was dedicated to assessing the progress of ongoing bilateral projects. A major highlight was the inspection of the Chandni Dodhara area in Nepal on Friday, where a strategic dry port is under construction.
This dry port, a priority project for the Nepal government proposed in 2016 with India's support, is situated south of the Sharda River near Banbasa. The project showcases collaborative efforts: India has built a 4.7 km connecting road to the port site, while Nepal has constructed a six-lane road and a bridge linking the facility to Mahendranagar.
New Bridge to Strengthen Direct Links
On the previous day, Thursday, Ambassador Sharma visited Chharchum in Dharchula, Pithoragarh. There, he inspected a newly built 110-meter motor bridge over the Kali river. Sharma emphasized that this bridge is the second motor bridge directly connecting Nepal to Uttarakhand, following the one in Banbasa.
He stated that this vital link is expected to provide a substantial boost to trade, tourism, and cross-border cooperation. Improved road connectivity will facilitate easier movement of goods and people, fostering economic growth in the border regions of both countries.
Addressing Citizen Concerns
Beyond infrastructure, the ambassador also engaged with human-centric issues. He specifically addressed the challenges faced by Nepali women married to Indian citizens, particularly concerning documentation and legal processes. Sharma assured that the Nepali embassy in India is committed to providing full support to help resolve such cases efficiently.
This two-day diplomatic and developmental tour underscores the ongoing efforts to strengthen the historically close ties between India and Nepal through concrete, ground-level projects. The focus on enhancing physical connectivity is seen as a foundational step towards deeper economic integration and people-to-people contact.
