Panitanki-Kakarvitta Border Closure Announced Ahead of Nepal Elections; Ambulances Exempted

Bagdogra, February 25, 2026 — The Indo-Nepal border, including the primary Panitanki-Kakarvitta crossing, will be closed for a 72-hour period, starting from midnight on March 2 until midnight on March 5. This closure is scheduled in connection with the upcoming 2026 Nepalese general elections.

Closing the international border is a standard administrative procedure implemented during elections.

Prabin Adhikari, a journalist based in Jhapa, Nepal, confirmed the schedule to Bagdogra Today. “The border is closed during every election. For the 2026 Nepalese general election, the Indo-Nepal border will remain closed,” Adhikari stated. He noted that this protocol aligns with the practices followed during previous election cycles in Nepal to regulate cross-border movement.

General public movement and regular transport across the border checkpoints, including the Panitanki-Kakarvitta transit route, will be restricted during this 72-hour window. However, provisions have been made for emergency services.

According to information from the District Administration Office in Jhapa, exemptions apply to specific emergency situations. Ambulances transporting patients across the border for medical treatment will be permitted to pass through the checkpoints during the closure.

Individuals planning to travel across the Panitanki-Kakarvitta border during these dates are advised to adjust their schedules accordingly. Security personnel will be deployed at the border checkpoints to enforce the temporary restriction.