Kathmandu, October 17: The Tatopani border pass in Sindhupalchok has reopened for three days. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies stated that the border point would remain open from Kartik 1 to 3.
According to a press note issued by the ministry, only cargo vehicles have been permitted to cross the border. However, the Nepal Himalaya Trans-Himalayan Commerce Association has demanded the immediate resumption of regular operations at the Tatopani–Khasa border to facilitate.
Association General Secretary Ram Chandra Parajuli said that the association had demanded regular operations, not just a three-day reopening. “We have submitted a formal letter to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal, drawing its attention to the issue and requesting the resumption of operations,” he said.
He said that containers waiting to transport goods from China had been stranded on both the Nepali and Chinese sides of the border due to its closure.
Parajuli said the association had called for the reopening of the border because, following recent severe weather events that disrupted and damaged land routes, the Tatopani crossing remained the most practical and effective route for cross-border movement. With major festivals, including Dashain and Tihar, underway, hundreds of containers carrying goods intended for the festive season had been stranded at the border. A large proportion of these goods consisted of perishable items, agricultural products and seasonal merchandise that were at immediate risk of deterioration.
He said the situation was causing serious financial losses to small local traders and threatening to create significant shortages of goods in the Nepali market, prompting the association to demand that the border crossing be brought back into operation.
Parajuli also said that the relevant road authorities and local stakeholders on the Nepali side had already cleared road obstructions and restored safe passage. He added that the road was fully operational for customs clearance and the movement of vehicles.
China had completely closed the Tatopani border crossing from Bhadra 15 until further notice. The Chinese side had also shut the crossing after a devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River on Bhadra 10 caused damage to several settlements in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts.
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