With the completion of the road in Panchtar district of Sikkim in India, Nepal and India's Sikkam are now connected with a highway that is expected to boost cross-border trade and tourism activities in the eastern region of Nepal.

According to a report on The Kathmandu Post, the crossing, which had been opened around nine years ago, has recently got concrete paved road from both sides. With this, the Indian state of Sikkim is now connected with the Nepali highway that goes from the country’s far east to far west in Dharchula.

Nepali Armed Force has already established a border checkpost around five months ago. The connectivity will enhance the trade and cross border movement for tourism also.

“Travelers from Sikkim and West Bengal can travel to Pathibhara and Kanchanjunga through the Chiwabhanjyang border point,” said Lekhnath Ghimire, the chairman of Yangwarak Rural Municipality in Panchthar of Nepal. “We can also sell our products, such as ginger, large cardamom, honey, ghee, and other milk products, in India via the same route.”

He also suggested establishing a custom point in the crossing, saying both countries would be benefited from the move.