On Tuesday, it suddenly stopped container trucks from entering Nepal via Jogbani checkpoint, which had been seeing normal flow of vehicles carrying goods for the last one week.“Both import and export of goods through Jogbani border point has been halted after the Indian side tightened the border. Not a single container truck has entered through the border since 12 pm,” informed chief of Biratnagar Customs Office, Rajendra Dhungana.
Dhungana informed that 70 consignment trucks had entered Nepal through Jogbani on Tuesday morning before the Indian side closed the border again. None of the trucks that entered Nepal were carrying petroleum products.
“We have no idea why they decided to obstruct the border once again,” he added. Meanwhile, Rupaidiha border point, which had remained obstructed for a very long time, has been unexpectedly opened on Tuesday.
“A large number of consignment trucks have entered Nepal through Rupaidiha border. The vehicles stuck at the border point are being gradually cleared,” informed Bed Prakash Lekhak, Chief District Officer (CDO) of Banke. “Although the border remains clear today, the situation may not continue to be so tomorrow. It is difficult to understand the unpredictable Indian motive of obstructing and opening the border,” added Lekhak.
According to the Area Police Office of Jamunaha, permits for container trucks are being issued smoothly. Assistant Police Inspector Hari Gurung of the office informed that 11 tankers laden with diesel, three tankers laden with petrol and 56 containers carrying various goods have entered Nepalgunj from Rupaidiha on Tuesday.
Likewise, seven tankers laden with petroleum products have entered the country through Gauriphanta border point of Dhangadi district.
Sharad Poudel, chief of the regional office of Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), informed that five tankers of 20,000 liters capacity carrying diesel and two tankers of 12,000 liters capacity carrying petrol have entered Nepal through the border.
“There is no obstruction on our side of the border. Yet, Indian side has been sending less than half of the usual amount of petroleum products,” said Poudel.
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