Direct bus services are scheduled to start between Pokhara and the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on July 11.

PK Bose, regional manager of Uttar Pradesh Transport Management of India, and Keshav Prasad Adhikari, chairman of Modern Era Tours and Travels, have signed an agreement to operate services that are expected to boost tourism between the two countries.

Nepali and Indian transport ministers will formally inaugurate the bus service in Pokhara. Bus permits will be issued by the respective governments as per the agreement made between Nepal and India in 2014.

Speaking after signing the accord, representatives from both the sides said that the bus service would help to boost tourism. “It will help to boost tourism in both the countries,” Bose said. Adhikari said the regular bus service would greatly benefit the tourism industry in Pokhara.

Buses ply the route presently, but the service is irregular and operators are facing a lot of difficulties.

The bus fare has been fixed at IRs2,200 for the 1,300-km journey. Buses will leave from Ananda Bihar in Uttar Pradesh and Pokhara on Nepal on a daily basis. The two sides have agreed to increase the frequency if required in the future.

Direct bus services are available between Delhi-Kathmandu.