MUSTANG, Sept 13: Mustang Customs Office at the Korala border point has collected Rs 1.7844 billion in revenue in just 15 days as imports from China surged following the closure of the Rasuwagadhi Kerung and Tatopani border points.
Customs Chief Bidur Chudal said imports through Korala have increased sharply since the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa disrupted the two major northern trade routes.
The office collected Rs 271.1 million in revenue on Friday alone, with daily collections averaging around Rs 300 million since Bhadra 22.
On Friday, customs cleared 71 containers and 106 electric vehicles. Between Bhadra 10, when Rasuwagadhi was closed, and Bhadra 25, a total of 434 containers and 641 electric vehicles entered through Korala and were cleared by customs.
Revenue from goods and vehicles entering through Korala reached Rs 2.3144 billion between the start of the current fiscal year 2083/84 and Bhadra 25. By Bhadra 9, only 133 containers and 163 electric vehicles had entered through the crossing.
Korala was previously open year round mainly for residents of Upper Mustang. The government opened it as an alternative trade route from Bhadra 31 last year after floods, landslides and river erosion disrupted roads leading to the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi border points.
The border crossing has since emerged as an increasingly important trade route. In fiscal year 2082/83, Mustang Customs collected Rs 6.92 billion in revenue from imports and exports through Korala.
Imports during the year were valued at Rs 14.41 billion, while exports stood at Rs 205 million.
Customs also cleared 3,223 electric vehicles and 1,873 containers through Korala last fiscal year.
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