In an unexpected move, the Nepal government has halted the movement of Indian vehicles at the Jogbani border crossing, triggering serious inconvenience for travellers and patients alike. The restriction was enforced on Thursday without prior notice, leading to long queues and confusion at the India-Nepal border in Araria district, Bihar.
Authorities suggest the decision may be linked to Nepal’s ongoing financial budget session, which has often led to administrative slowdowns and movement curbs in the past.
🚧 Entry Restrictions Applied at Jogbani and Supaul Borders
The directive, reportedly issued by Nepal’s customs department, applies to Indian vehicles attempting to enter from the Jogbani and Supaul border points. The ban is currently affecting cross-border ambulances and vehicles carrying patients, many of whom travel daily to access healthcare in Nepal’s cities like Biratnagar.
Locals said that this has caused severe hardship for patients scheduled for treatment and routine check-ups.
🏥 Critical Medical Travel Disrupted
One of the worst-affected groups includes Indian patients who regularly travel to Nepal for medical services. The abrupt halt in vehicle entry has forced several patients to delay or cancel appointments, especially in Biratnagar, a major hub for medical tourism in the region.
🛂 Budget Session Triggers Tightened Security, Says Official
Sources within Nepal indicate that the step was taken as part of temporary security measures during the parliamentary budget session. A senior customs officer based in Birpur (Supaul district) noted that Indian vehicles were stopped as higher-level customs personnel were unavailable on duty during the legislative proceedings.
🚗 Local Goods Movement Remains Unaffected
Despite the halt on Indian passenger vehicles, the movement of goods and cargo trucks remained unaffected. Border authorities confirmed that essential services and commercial logistics are operating normally.
