and, an agreement was reached to construct new pillars in some places. India and Nepal share more than 1,770-kilometer border. According to the Nepalese government estimates, of the 8000 boundary pillars along the border, 1,240 pillars are missing, 2,500 require restoration, and, 400 more need to be constructed. The survey teams conducted survey of the border pillars based on the strip maps prepared by the Joint Technical Level Nepal-India Boundary Committee (JTLNIBC). The JTLNIBC was set up in 1981 to demarcate the India-Nepal border and after years of surveying, deliberations and extensions, the committee had delineated 98 per cent of the India-Nepal boundary, excluding Kalapani and Susta, on 182 strip maps which was finally submitted in 2007 for ratification by both the countries. Unfortunately neither country ratified the maps. Nepal maintained that it cannot ratify the maps without the resolution of outstanding boundary disputes, i.e. Kalapani and Susta. India, on the other hand, awaited Nepal's ratification while at the same time urging it to endorse the maps as a confidence building measure for solving the Kalapani and Susta disputes. In absence of a ratification, the process of completely demarcating the India-Nepal boundary could not be undertaken and completed. In 2020, the relation between the two countries came under strain after the inauguration of a 80 km long road which connected the Lipulekh pass with Dharchula in Uttarakhand. The strategically crucial road was inaugurated by India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on 8 May 2020. Nepal reacted to this inauguration and claimed that the road passed through Nepalese territory. India later rejected Nepal's claim and stated that the road was within the Indian territory. Border crossings Integrated check posts with immigration and customs facilities are: Jogbani, Bihar Bhitthamore, Bihar Sonauli, Uttar Pradesh Rupaidiha, Uttar Pradesh Taulihawa-Siddharthnagar (only for India and Nepalese citizens) Jathi, Bihar Laukaha in Bihar - Thadi Nepal. In 2014, to enhance the collaborative relations between the two nations, Nepal and India started a Trans-border bus service from New Delhi to Kathmandu connecting the nation's capital of both countries. The direct bus service with multiple routes improves connectivity between the capitals of both countries. The service is in operation by Delhi Bus Corporation (DTC), India and several other private Travel companies. At present (2019), Kathmandu to Delhi bus service, Kathmandu to Siliguri Bus service, Kathmandu to Varanasi, Delhi to Janakpur bus service are in operation. According to an official statement