Belahiya border point in southwest Nepal has been made a hassle-free crossing point, at least for Indian travellers.

Following many complaints from unhappy travellers, especially Indians who visit Nepal in private vehicles, the district administration has started providing service through a one-window system.

The district administration launched an integrated checkpoint, a new facility, last Wednesday.

Indian tourists, who don’t require passports, and drive across the border are not subjected to lengthy customs waits to get a temporary vehicle pass.

Under the new system, police and customs officials will jointly conduct security checks and issue a security clearance card.

Tourism entrepreneurs hailed the government initiative, stating that such a fast-track system would send a positive message and help bring more tourists from India to Nepal.

Earlier, Indian tourists who came via road had to undergo repeated checks, and their vehicles were searched multiple times.

“All the checks are now completed at one place. After the clearance, the Indian vehicles will not require additional checks within Rupandehi district,” said Ganesh Aryal, chief district officer of Rupandehi. “But if the security personnel have suspicions, they can conduct a check at any time.”

The vehicles which have been issued the ‘yellow card’ can go anywhere hassle-free, Aryal said.

The system is basically for Indian tourists, who are not put through the immigration process or need to have their passports stamped like tourists from third countries do.

Belahiya is a major entry point. It is the gateway to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, and receives nearly 80 percent of overland foreign tourists.

The point also attracts many Indian visitors, as Chitwan and Pokhara are easily accessible from there. These destinations are becoming most popular for Indian tourists of late.

Tourism entrepreneurs say that once the six-lane Narayanghat-Butwal road is completed, Nepal could receive millions of Indian visitors.

The government has recently allowed Indian visitors to pay in Nepal through the quick response (QR) code system, reducing the hassle of carrying banknotes.

The international airport in Bhairahawa is also waiting for commercial operation.

Ek Narayan Aryal, secretary at the home ministry, inaugurated the integrated checkpoint on Wednesday amid a ceremony.

He said that Rupandehi had started an excellent work.

“We have taken tourism as a basis for the country’s prosperity. We are willing to welcome as many tourists as possible, but the environment also needs to be conducive,” said Aryal.

Aryal underscored the need for such a system nationwide. “Expanding such facilities to all border points will create an easy environment for tourists.”

“The ministry will do what is necessary to expand such a facility nationwide.”

Indian tourist flow has increased in destinations like Pokhara, Chitwan, Kathmandu and Lumbini. Nepal and India share 1,800 km of border points.

Khel Raj Pandey, mayor of Butwal Sub-metropolitan City, said creating a tourist-friendly environment was essential. “We complain about why tourists are not coming, but we don’t do anything to facilitate their visit.”

“Tourists need to be provided with hassle-free services.”

Istiyaq Ahmed Khan, mayor of Siddharthanagar municipality, said many tourists travelling to Nepal using private vehicles complain about the limitation on carrying currency.

“We have demanded that the home secretary allow Indian tourists to carry at least Rs200,000.”

Currently, Indians entering Nepal are not allowed to carry more than INR25,000. Lawmakers have also urged the government to remove restrictions on the amount of currency Indian tourists can use while visiting Nepal.

Krishna Prasad Sharma, president of Lumbini Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said that the cash-carrying limitation by Indian tourists needs to be removed. “We want to bring as many tourists as possible to the country but also restrict them from spending here,” he said. “It’s a ridiculous policy.”

India is Nepal's top tourism source market. In 2023, over 300,000 Indian tourists entered Nepal via air transport.

However, the overland Indian visitors’ survey conducted in 2017 by the Nepal Tourism Board showed that 1.36 million Indian tourists travelled to Nepal through the surface route.

The number may be even more significant now.

Though the issue in Belahiya has been settled, tourism entrepreneurs said Indian tourists entering from the Jamunaha border point of Nepalgunj, Banke, also face similar hassles.

After getting customs clearance, Indian vehicles need to visit another checkpoint to obtain a route permit. Since most Indian tourists come to Nepal in private cars, getting route permits can be problematic.

Thakurdwara, a tourist centre in Bardiya, also has many Indian tourists.

But complaints about that point are also galore. The checks on the highways are frequent and tiresome, even after they have completed all formalities at the customs point.

Travel trade entrepreneurs say the security personnel's behaviour towards the Indian tourists is strange.