Following recent protests in Nepal, vigilance has been significantly increased at the Jarwa border post in Balrampur, situated on the India-Nepal frontier. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has tightened checks on individuals crossing the border, leading to a noticeable decrease in cross-border movement.

Now, every person arriving from Nepal undergoes a stringent verification process. Their identity card (ID) details are fed into a computer, followed by a facial recognition scan. Additionally, luggage and bags are thoroughly inspected using baggage scanner machines. Only after completing this rigorous procedure are individuals permitted to enter India or travel to Nepal from here.

This enhanced scrutiny has directly impacted cross-border traffic, with a significant reduction in the movement of Nepali citizens. This decline is attributed to the ongoing unrest in Nepal, alongside prevailing weather conditions. The Jarwa border provides access to Nepal's Kohalbas, leading to Garhwa, Lamhi, Ghorahi, Bhalubang, and Tulshipur, eventually connecting to the Kathmandu Highway.

Currently, customs (Bhansar) facilities at this border are limited to transactions up to 25,000 rupees. Those conducting larger business operations prefer the Barhni border in Siddharthnagar, where the customs office is larger and processing times are shorter. Due to these customs limitations, heavy goods vehicles do not use the Jarwa border; only smaller vehicles like pickups, cars, and motorcycles are permitted. Nepali residents returning from Devi Patan Temple reported that the inspection process at the Kohalbas border is now more time-consuming. This extended procedure causes inconvenience, prompting many to opt for the Barhni border for their shopping needs. In the past month, only about 14 four-wheelers and roughly 100 motorcycles have crossed into India via the Kohalbas border, a sharp drop from the previous figures of 50-56 four-wheelers and over 200 motorcycles.