Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav assured a visiting Nepali delegation that his government would develop infrastructure in bordering districts on a priority basis. Yadav was interacting with the visiting delegation of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) led by its Vice-President Bhawani Rana. He assured them that he would write to the union government of India for issues like the laying of a railway line, power and customs etc.

Nepali entrepreneurs led by Rana and accompanied by media persons, on the occasion, apprised Yadav of various problems that Nepali entrepreneurs have been facing at the UP border. Representatives of FNCCI district chapters from the seven districts connected to UP briefed him about the problems they have been facing with border customs, transportation and security, while importing and exporting goods from India through UP. The Indian state is connected with eight districts of Nepal and is a major land route for imports from India.

The 500-km-long Indo- Nepal border along the eight districts of Uttar Pradesh — Pilibhit, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Sidharth Nagar, Maharajganj and Kushinagar –– and eight districts of Nepal — Kanchanpur, Kailali, Banke, Bardia, Dang, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, and Nawalparasi –– play a significant role for the promotion of trade and investment as well as socioeconomic and cultural ties between the two countries. Saying that ties between India and Nepal date back to ancient times, Yadav said the problems of importing herbals from Nepal to India and the laying of a road running from Doodhibadi in Nepal till Gorakhpur in India, passing through the border district of Maharajganj, as raised by the Nepali delegation, would be taken up on priority. Yadav added that till the work on the proposed roads was not taken up, repairs of the existing roads would be taken up quickly so that movement of goods and people was not hindered.

On law and order in the neighbouring districts of Nepal, he said UP Police officials would be vigilant at the Indo-Nepal border. Nepali delegates asked Yadav to also upgrade the Gaurifanta customs and Thutebari customs on the Indian side that will help boost trade with Nepal. The first ever team of Nepali entrepreneurs visiting the Indian state to boost trade and promote tourism jointly between the adjoining areas of the two countries, also held meetings with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and customs officials, and discussed various issues.