Kanchanpur, May 12
Border pillars are a mark of a country’s sovereignty. Missing and dilapidated border pillars indicate that not all’s well with national sovereignty. A look into the Nepal-India border in Kanchanpur shows national sovereignty is at risk there.
From Vaisevichava VDC to the Brahmadev region, the border appears blurred with border pillars fallen, missing or on the verge of collapse for want of timely maintenance.
At Machhetti in Brahmadev, the pillar number 813 collapse due to flooding in the Mahakali river three years ago.
Man Singh Bhandari, border surveyer, says there’s no trace of border pillars 3 and 3 A in the Mahakali river basin.
There were 104 main and auxillary pillars in the region adjoining Khiri of India, he says. “Twelve of these pillars are missing. In the Pilivit region of India, the Mahakali swept away 15 border pillars. They are awaiting reconstruction.”
In Udhamsingh and Champavat of India, three pillars are missing, he says.
“As per an earlier arrangement, India should repair and maintain even-numbered pillars while Nepal should look after odd-numbered pillars. But this is not happening and it is a matter of concern.”
Pillar H01 (located in the Gaddachauki region of Banbasa) and Pillar 816 (located in Doke Bazaar) are in poor shape. Manohar Prasad Khanal, chief district officer of Kanchanpur, says they have submitted a report to the Home Ministry for repair and maintenance of border pillars in bad shape.
