Poor infrastructure in Nepali side is the bottleneck in Nepal-China trade. The Tatopani trade route, which has remained shut since the earthquake of April, is yet to come into operation. The trade route accounted for more than 90 percent of country's total trade with China in the last fiscal year.The road to Rasuwagadhi takes roundabout route through Dhunche and Syafrubesi. Though there is a plan to build a direct double-lane road from Betrawati to Syaphrubeshi (30 km) along the Trishuli River, the track-opening work is yet to be completed.
Nepal Army has been entrusted with the responsibility of opening track. The 13-kilometer track opened by Nepal Army was badly damaged in the April earthquake. Officials of Department of Roads (DoR) say a rocky section spanning 7 kilometers is impeding track opening works.
Briefing members of the Development Committee of legislature-parliament about the condition of the road on Monday, Madhav Karki, director general of DoR, said it would take around three years to build road along the river. "We also plan to expand the Galchhi-Betrawati (36 km) section," he said. "Nepal Army has told us that track would be ready within a year. It would take another two years to complete construction of the road."
Karki also said the government should ease some legal provisions to complete the project in a fast-track mode. He asked the government to appoint consultant of the project in a fast-track manner to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) within three months. "The project should be developed under 'design and build' model," he said, urging the government to facilitate land acquisition process.
The single-lane Syaphrubesi-Rasuwagadhi (16 km) road was graveled with Chinese assistance. DoR has proposed a budget of Rs 1 billion to expand the road to double-lane and blacktop it.
The Twenty-Year Road Plan (2001) of the government had put roads connecting China in priority. But they did not get priority in fiscal programs.
China has identified Kerung as an important point in the Silk Road and is developing infrastructures there accordingly. It is connecting Kerung with railway in 2020. But Nepal is doing nothing to develop its trading points in northern parts of the country. As a result, it has been transporting 10,000 kiloliter Chinese fuel grant to Kathmandu with great difficulty.
Along with Rasuwagadhi, Nepal has identified Pokhara-Beni-Jomsom-Kora La, Tumlingtar-Kimathanka, Surkhet-Jumla-Simikot-Hilsa, and Phidim-Taplejung-Olangchungola routes to increased trade with China.
Meanwhile, Karki has proposed to develop Kora La trade route as the most feasible route for Nepal-China trade.
Following discussions, the committee has directed the government to build necessary infrastructure on important trade routes to facilitate Nepal-China trade.
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