Imports increasing amid growing movement at Tatopani border

By Chitra Mijar,Sindhupalchowk, Oct. 2: After almost eight and a half years, activities have started to increase at the Tatopani border, which has been opened for import and export and two-way movement recently.

From the earthquake of April 2015, the checkpoint was in partial operation until end of August, 2023. But now that the border has been fully operational, the movement and business has started to increase.

With the approaching Dashain, Tihar and various festivals, businessmen have started importing goods from China, and the traffic is increasing at this customs point.

Nepali businessmen have started importing winter ready-made clothes, fruits, shoes and electrical goods related to Dashain and Tihar from different regions of China.

Dayananda KC, chief of Tatopani Dry Port Customs Office, said that there has been no problem while importing goods from China.

According to him, revenue of Rs. 16 million has been collected at the customs during the first two months of the current fiscal year.

KC said that if import and export is easy, the revenue will be collected according to the target set by the government for this customs point.

Problems at border

Although Tatopani border crossing is operational two-way, there is still a problem on the Nepal side.

The uneasiness has arisen in the business because the government has not made arrangements for roads, physical infrastructure, security management and government offices in the border at Nepal side.

At present, Sindhupalchowk residents have been given a one-year pass for border crossing.

The number of people coming to make passes is increasing day by day. There is no immigration office building.

"The immigration office is running in a dilapidated and ruined room caused by devastating earthquake. Electricity service is not reliable and there is no electronic backup. Because of this, tourists who come to visit Nepal have to wait for hours to get their visas," he said.

Currently, more than 400 people go to the Tibetan land from Nepal for shopping, but due to lack of electricity, they have to stop because they cannot issue a pass for them.

The main gate near Miteri bridge is in dilapidated condition. No material from Nepal is allowed to be taken to Chinese territory.

Sher Bahadur Magar, a local resident, expressed his sorrow that they could not take even a packet of noodles made in Nepal to the Chinese territory.

There is no equipment to test the quality of imported goods as there is no management of the quarantine at the border, according to the customs office.

According to locals, the 28 km road from Miteri bridge to Khorsanibari in Bahrabise is in ruins.

Although the road has been invested time and time again, it is like pouring water on sand. Freight vehicles, large containers have to ply on this road at high risk.

According to the customs office, the chemical fertilisers brought from China last May have been stored in the customs warehouse, so now there is a lot of difficulty in managing the goods imported by the businessmen.