Reopening of Korala border points makes Mustang locals happy

By Thakur Acharya,Myagdi, Nov. 17: After a hiatus lasting for four years, the Korla border point in Mustang has resumed commercial operations. The Chinese government enforced a complete border closure in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening of the checkpoint on Monday, November 13, has sparked excitement among the residents of Mustang. 

On the inaugural day of the checkpoint's operation, a substantial number of Mustang residents eagerly made their way to Korala.

The closure of the border affected the lives of the residents of two Rural Municipalities in Upper Mustang. During the recent visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' to China, the two countries had agreed to reopen the border.

The Chinese government has reactivated the border, specifically catering to the residents of Upper Mustang. The inauguration of the checkpoint was led by Janakraj Pant, the Chief District Officer of Mustang, and Nurbu Chhiring, Chief of Zhomba County in Sigatse Province of China. In collaboration with the Chinese government, essential temporary infrastructure, including the Border Outpost (BOP) for the Armed Police Force and a temporary customs office, has been established in Korala.

Tashi Nharbu Gurung, Chairman of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, informed that the Chinese government has provided containers for the construction of temporary buildings because there is no physical structure on the Nepal side to operate the border crossing. He said that China has also provided 100,000 kg of food as a gift to the people of Upper Mustang in celebration of the reopening of the border crossing.

People of Upper Mustang mostly rely on Chinese consumer goods. Goods that reach Upper Mustang through Pokhara, Beni are three times more expensive than those goods imported from China. Chhayumi Bista Gurung, Vice-Chairperson of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, said that with the operation of the checkpoint, daily consumables, clothes and construction materials have been imported at affordable rates.

"For the past four years, the daily life of the residents of Upper Mustang has become difficult due to the complete closure of the border. The goods had to be brought at a very high price. With the regular operation of the border crossing, goods have started coming from China at a much cheaper price," she said. 

Permits were distributed a month ago for the residents of Lomanthang as well as Loghekar Damodarkund Rural Municipality to travel through the crossing. On the basis of the permission letter, all vehicles of the upper Mustang will be allowed to travel beyond the Korala border crossing.

Karma Namgel Gurung, Chair of Ward No. 2, Bharchha of Lomanthang RM, said that the locals are excited after the border is operational and commercial activities are taking place. 

At present, 980 people from Lomanthang and Loghekar Damodarkund have been distributed 'Entry Permits for Departure to Nepal China Border Area' to enter the Chinese territory. Chief District Officer Pant informed that there has been a verbal agreement to allow entry to all the residents of Mustang in the coming days.

Pant said, "At present, only residents of the two rural municipalities can reach 30 kilometers from Korala border crossing to the territory in China and conduct commercial activities at any time based on the entry permit. The Chinese side has been positive about giving entry permits to all Mustang residents."

With the regular operation of the border, the Nechung Customs Office has also been operated regularly. 

A 435 km two-lane Kaligandaki Corridor (unpaved road which is under construction) connects Korala with Gaindakot of Nawalparasi (East). China has built all weather-blacktopped road and modern infrastructure facilities up to the border. 

After the operation of the checkpoint, people of Upper Mustang can import daily consumer goods, construction materials, electronic materials, clothes, etc., while pashmina, agricultural products and Yarsagumba are exported to China.