Officials clueless when Chinese trade routes will reopen

KATHMANDU, Sept 28: Nepalis are expecting two key trade routes, which have remained closed since the earthquake of April 25, to open soon. But concerned government officials say they are clueless on when the routes will reopen.

The reopening of two trading points - Tatopani (Sindhupalchowk) and Rasuwagadhi (Rasuwa) - has now become more important as supply through all customs points along the southern plains has been affected for the past four days after India barred movement of cargo vehicles citing security concerns. Because of this, urban areas are already seeing shortage of fuel and cooking gas.Talking to Republica, Commerce Secretary Naindra Prasad Upadhay said he had discussed the issue with officials of Embassy of China in Kathmandu and Nepal's Consular General in Lhasa Hari Prasad Bashyal. "But I cannot say when the trade routes with China will reopen," Upadhay said, adding that road to Rasuwagadhi from Nepali side was operable.

Work to clear landslide debris in Chinese side of the Rasuwagadhi border is yet to be completed. Similarly, debris on Barhabise-Tatopani road in the Nepali side is yet to be cleared. Likewise, Chinese customs and immigration offices at Khasa have not been opened yet.

Upadhay also said Department of Roads (DoR) has been assigned the task of clearing debris from the Barhabise-Tatopani section of Arniko Highway and make the road section operable.

A joint-team of Nepal Army and Chinese Army had cleared Barhabise-Tatopani section on August 6. But vehicular movement is yet to resume as there are many sites prone to landslide and rock fall. The joint team had even organized a press meet, stating that supply would resume once the monsoon rains are over. But it is not clear yet when supplies will resume. Monsoon period ended last week.

Following the earthquake, China shifted its customs and immigration offices from Khasa to Nyalam - which is 30 kilometers away from Nepal-China border. These offices have not been reinstated yet.

"Our customs points at both Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani are ready for operation," Shishir Dhungana, director general of Department of Customs, told Republica.

Imports of Chinese goods were routed via Kolkata following the earthquake. But protest in Tarai has severely affected import of Chinese goods.

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