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🇳🇵 Nepal /Economy & Trade

Nepal-China trade route partially reopens after month-long blockage

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Vehicular traffic on a key overland trade route linking Nepal and China has resumed with limited movement after a month-long blockage.
  • Temporary single-lane tracks were opened at Eco and Daklang sections after heavy machinery and manpower cleared debris, prioritizing safety and reducing risks to settlements.
  • Despite the reopening, the Tatopani crossing remains partially operational due to road subsidence and a landslide on the Chinese side, raising concerns among traders about potential supply shortages before Nepal's biggest festival, Dashain.

Vehicular traffic along a vital overland trade route connecting Nepal and China has partially resumed after a month-long disruption. The Eco section of the highway, linking the Tatopani border crossing, reopened on Monday, allowing limited movement for cargo containers.

As soon as the road opened, containers stuck at Kodari started heading towards customs.

— Sharada Prasad ParajuliAn executive member of the Nepal Trans Himalayan Border Commerce Association, commenting on the resumption of traffic.

Efforts to clear the blockage involved deploying heavy machinery and manpower after the designated Chinese contractor failed to begin scheduled repair work. Temporary single-lane tracks were established at both the Eco and Daklang sections, prioritizing the safety of settlements in landslide-prone areas. This move aims to reduce risks and allow stranded cargo containers to proceed to customs.

However, the Tatopani crossing remains only partially operational. Significant road subsidence at Liping and a fresh landslide on the Chinese side of the border continue to impede full functionality. Approximately 85 containers are still stranded across Liping due to the Chinese-side landslide. Traders express growing concern about potential supply shortages as Nepal's largest festival, Dashain, approaches, with Chinese transport companies hesitant to accept cargo without guaranteed regular road access.

Traffic flow has normalised at Daklang, and the road at Eco is now clear. Repair work at Liping will commence shortly.

— Narayan Datta BhandariThe senior divisional engineer and chief of the Road Division Office in Charikot, providing an update on the road conditions.

Local residents, elected officials, the Road Division Office, and freight operators collaborated to open the temporary routes. While repair work at Liping is slated to commence shortly, the border crossing's normal operation hinges on resolving these persistent issues. The government had previously awarded a contract for repairs, but it was canceled after China expressed intent to rebuild the section directly, though the Chinese firm assigned to the project has yet to start construction.

While containers stranded at Kodari Bazaar are moving, around 85 containers remain stuck across Liping because of the landslide on the Chinese side.

— Kumar ShresthaThe chairman of ward 2 of Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality, explaining the ongoing challenges at the border crossing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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