KATHMANDU, Aug 20: With the major festivals of the Hindus just a month away, traders have been unable to import goods targeted for the festivals from China due to the disruption of two main two land trading routes for the past two weeks.
Since the July 8 floods completely cut off the cross-border movement between Nepal and China via Rasuwagadhi, the trading point has remained completely shut. Likewise, the landslide that took place in Kodari of Araniko Highway has stalled the operation of the Tatopani-Khasa trading route for the past two weeks.
Surya Prasad Kafle, officer of the Tatopani Customs Office (TCO), informed that the import through the border point has completely stopped due to the natural disaster. According to him, the incessant rainfall has been disrupting the work of clearing the rubble from the landslide location.
Goods for Teej remain stuck in Kerung due to lack of containers
As per the TCO, more than 50 containers carrying imported goods have remained stranded along the route connecting Khasa and Nyalam of China. Importers fear of facing a massive loss due to the spoiling of perishable edibles including fruits.
Following the devastating earthquake on April 25, 2015, China completely closed the Tatopani border, while promoting the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung customs point. Both the border points, however, face closure time and again due to various incidents. Last year too, these land trading routes between Nepal and China experienced similar disruption due to floods and landslides of September 2024.
Traders import apparels, fruits, electrical appliances and footwear targeted for the festivals by using mainly these two customs points. While electric vehicles are also imported via the routes, a flying car which is one of the main attractions of the ongoing NADA Auto Show 2025 was brought into Nepal being carried by human resources due to the road closures.
Meanwhile, the Nepal Foreign Trade Association (NFTA) has urged the government to open other Nepal-China border points to ease bilateral trade. Citing the frequent disruption of Rasuwagadhi-Kerung and Tatopani-Khasa border points, the traders’ umbrella organisation has demanded the government to lobby at diplomatic level along with construction of related infrastructure to carry out the smooth cross-border trade.
According to the NFTA, hundreds of containers and trucks carrying imported goods have been stranded due to the closure of the existing trade routes. “Due to this reason, traders have been overburdened by undesired costs,” reads a press release issued by the association.
During a visit of the then President Bidya Devi Bhandari to China, the northern neighbor had agreed allowing Nepal to use additional seven trading points that include Korala of Mustang, Kimathanka of Sankhuwasabha, Lamabagar of Dolakha, Olangchunggola of Taplejung, Hilsa Pass of Mugu, Yari of Humla and Larke of Gorkha districts. Likewise, the parliamentary development committee also suggested the government bring into operation at the earliest the trading routes via Korala and Olangchunggola. However, these concerns have not materialized till date.
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