Achyut Regmi
Kathmandu, Nov 23: Nepali entrepreneurs have faced significant challenges following the closure of the Kerung border for the past five months. The shutdown began on July 8 after flooding in the Lamde Khola destroyed the Miteri river bridge in Rasuwa.
As a result, clothing and other festival-related goods remain stranded at the border. According to Saroj Kumar Shrestha, former president of the National Trade Association, around 200 containers of such goods are currently stuck at Kerung.
“Goods imported from China in July for Dashain / Tihar are still halted at the Kerung due to the disruption in cargo movement,” he said. However, the Tatopani border in Sindhupalchok has been operating intermittently. Although it was closed earlier due to 2015 earthquake induced landslides on the Araniko Highway, it resumed normal operations after Tihar.
Shrestha noted that some traders have been forced to import goods via the Korola border in Mustang, where transportation costs are significantly higher due to the unreliability of the Tatopani route.
Entry of cargo vehicles through the Korola border is strictly controlled, with only four to five trucks receiving passes to enter China each day. The border is currently closed due to extreme cold, and goods transported through Korola must travel via Mustang and Pokhara to reach Kathmandu. Traders report increased fuel costs because vehicles must be kept running in freezing temperatures. They emphasize that reopening the Kerung border would greatly ease the import process.
Kumar Karki, former president of the National Association of Entrepreneurs, reported similar difficulties. Nepal imports clothing, footwear, cosmetics, electronics, fruits, and vehicle parts from China.
Rajendra Prasad Chudal, chief customs officer at Tatopani, stated that the volume of goods entering through Tatopani has not increased despite the Kerung closure. “When Kerung was operational, 25 to 30 containers entered daily through Tatopani. Now, even with Kerung closed, the numbers have declined,” he said.
Landslides during the monsoon also blocked sections of the Araniko Highway. Currently, nearly 80 percent of goods entering Nepal from China through Tatopani consist of fruits.
Chudal added that discussions are ongoing with the Chinese Consulate General to facilitate smoother imports. Customs Department Information Officer Kishor Bartula confirmed that goods continue to enter through Tatopani despite the Kerung shutdown. “Due to severe cold, cargo cannot pass through Korola, but 30 to 35 containers are entering Nepal daily via Tatopani,” he said. #nepal #tatopani #korola #tibet rss
