In an effort to create business friendly environment and discourage unscrupulous activities along the key trade route, local administration is preparing to beef up security by setting up Area Police Post along the highway that is rife with unscrupulous gang.[break]
Traders have also been complaining that they are facing continued mistreatment and harassment from Chinese people.
Rajendra Shrestha, president of Sindhupalchowk Chamber of Commerce and Industry said hooligans have been preventing sufficient number of containers from entering Khasa -- the major transit point on the Nepal-China border, due to which transporters have been charging exorbitant fares.
“We are no longer in a position to continue business with China given the adverse condition. Some hooligans have begun to collect Rs 300 per containers as donation to local clubs,” said Shrestha.
Business people have long been demanding solution to the problem of theft and to wear and tear of goods due to hassles in delivering goods -- the major cause that has forced traders of electronic goods to take Kolkatta route instead of Khasa to deliver goods from Guangzhou, China.
Durga Lal Shresth, president of Nepal Trans-Himalaya Trade Association, also said deep-rooted syndicate system among transporters and growing insecurity in delivering goods have created adverse climate for genuine people who are involved in trading of goods to and from Khasa.
Traders said rejuvenated syndicate system along the highway has jacked up the fare for the delivery of goods from Khasa to Kathmandu to Rs 90,000 from around Rs 50,000 per container a few days back.
“Issues of security has been raised by local traders time and again. We have also felt the necessity to strengthen the security at the border point by setting up Area Police Office manned with at least 25 personnel,” said Hari Krishna Upadhyay, Chief District Officer of Sindhupalchowk.
A week ago, a joint meeting of local administration and business people was organized to seek ways to resolve the security problem along the trade route that links the largest customs point northern part of the country.
Upadhyay said Nepali business people have also been complaining about mistreatment from the Chinese side and sought security arrangement for creating conducive climate for doing business.
“We raised the issue with the Chinese officials and they have already expressed apology for mistreatment, if any, meted out on Nepalis,” said Upaddhya.
Thaneshwore Regmi, Deputy Superintendent at Shindhupalchowk District Police Office, said some youths, involved in smuggling red sandalwood in the past, are switching to extorting money from Khasa traders.
“They are also creating problems for the containers heading to Khasa. So, we have decided to increase patroling along Tatopani-Kavre section of Araniko Highway with additional security personnel to discourage the illegal and anti-social acts,” Regmi said.
According to him, 34 police personnel are deployed in Barabise, 28 in Tatopani, 10 in Lamosanghu along with the Armed Police Force Camp at Khandichour.
Importers of electronic goods from China have already started diverting their consignments from the Tatopani route to the Kolkata route on the grounds of sharp rise in transportation cost and damages to the goods caused by poor road.
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