Bhairahawa, June 22 -- Tourism entrepreneurs in Rupandehi have long expressed frustration over mismanagement at the Belahiya border point-Nepal's busiest land crossing with India. They argue that tourists are harassed in the name of security checks, and cite persistent inefficiencies at the immigration office.

More recently, with Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa failing to run regular international flights, they have taken to the streets, staging protests at the airport gate. These repeated demonstrations stem from grievances and anxiety over the assurance of massive private investments in the district's burgeoning hotel sector.

Following the completion of the airport in Bhairahawa, private investors rapidly funnelled r...