Jhulaghat bridge, Mahakali boat services to close for three days

By Gokarna Dayal,Baitadi, Feb. 25: The Jhulaghat border bridge, which links Nepal with India, along with six boats operating on the Mahakali River, will remain closed for three days due to security arrangements for the forthcoming House of Representatives elections.

Chief District Officer Krishna Thapa said the Jhulaghat border point and all boat services across the Mahakali would be suspended from midnight on March 2 until midnight on March 5 to ensure the elections are conducted in a free, fair and fear-free environment. The border will be sealed 72 hours before polling day, he said.

Baitadi district shares a 65-kilometre border with India, stretching from Shera in Dasharathchand Municipality–6 through Binayak in Pancheshwar Rural Municipality–4 to Shivanath Rural Municipality. A suspension bridge at Dasharathchand Municipality–8, Jhulaghat, facilitates cross-border movement between Nepal and India.

In Pancheshwar and Shivanath Rural Municipalities, boats operated through local government contracts provide river crossings over the Mahakali.

The Chief District Officer said heightened security vigilance has been adopted across the border region in light of the elections. Surveillance has been intensified through the Armed Police Force Border Outposts (BOPs) stationed in the area.

Border points between Nepal and India have previously been closed for 72 hours during elections held in either country.