The memorandum states that more than one billion rupees have been invested in hotels, resorts, homestays, transportation and tourism-related infrastructure in the Thori area so far, and that this investment has provided employment to hundreds of locals directly and thousands indirectly.
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
The Tourism Development Committee, Thori, has submitted a memorandum to the District Administration Office, Parsa, demanding immediate operation of the Nepal-India border checkpoint and small customs office at Thori in Parsa.
Committee Secretary Rabi Poudel submitted the memorandum to the Nepal government through the Chief District Officer on Monday. The memorandum states that Thori border checkpoint is an important gateway between Nepal and India from a historical, touristic and economic perspective and has been in operation since 1911 Bikram Sambat, playing an important role in expanding social, cultural, religious, touristic and trade relations between the two countries.
Thori has been established as a major tourist destination in Madhesh Province and is attracting domestic and foreign tourists due to Chitwan National Park, Parsa National Park, wetlands, religious and historical sites, jungle safaris and natural beauty, the memorandum states.
More than one billion rupees have been invested in hotels, resorts, homestays, transportation and tourism-related infrastructure in the Thori area so far and The memorandum also mentions that hundreds of locals have been directly employed and thousands indirectly employed through this investment.
The memorandum mentions that although the Nepal government has established a small customs office in Thori, it has not been able to operate effectively due to the lack of necessary staff and management, and that the border security agencies have been turning away Indian tourists from the border for the past three days, which has negatively affected the tourism business, local economy and Nepal's international tourism image.
The committee has also demanded that the movement of tourists through the Thori border checkpoint be immediately resumed, that unnecessary turning away of Indian tourists be stopped, that the necessary staff be arranged at the small customs office and that it be operated regularly, that revenue collection and security management be made effective, and that the necessary government support be provided to develop Thori as a national and international tourism destination.
The memorandum also demands that necessary initiatives be taken to bring the Thori border checkpoint and small customs office into operation as soon as possible in coordination with the concerned bodies, keeping in view the impact on local life, tourism business, employment and the national economy. The team that submitted the memorandum included Thori Rural Municipality Chairman Lal Bahadur Shrestha, central member of the Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association Hira Shrestha, and others.
Receiving the memorandum, Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal pledged that he would work to convey the demands of Thori entrepreneurs to the center. Birgunj Customs Office Chief Customs Administrator Krishna Mainali had expressed legal inability to grant entry permits to Indian tourist vehicles through Thori Chhoti Customs checkpoint. He also said that this work could be done only if the Customs Department orders it. Armed Police Superintendent Mohan Singh Chhetri said that if Indian tourists are allowed to enter only through Thori checkpoint, a situation would arise where they would have to be allowed through other checkpoints in the district as well, which could increase the crime rate.
