Araniko Highway remains blocked for weeks

Chautara, Aug 21: The Araniko Highway, which was blocked by a landslide at Bhotekoshi rural municipality-2 in Sindhupalchowk on August 3, has remained obstructed since then.     

The highway, which frequently suffers water-induced disasters during the monsoon, had been temporarily restored in the past.     

However, the severity of the area hit by the recent disaster has led to a complete closure since August 3, it is said.     

Due to the prolonged obstruction lasting over two weeks, the transportation of goods from the Tatopani trade transit point along the Nepal-China border has come to a halt. As a result, some 1,700 containers have remained stranded on the Chinese side in Tatopani.     

Rajendra Prasad Chudal, Chief of the Tatopani Customs Office, stated that while efforts are ongoing to reopen the route, it remains uncertain whether the highway can be restored before the Dashain festival due to the geographical vulnerability of the area.     

He confirmed that around 1,000 goods-laden trucks are stuck in the Tatopani area alone. Ramhari Karki, Chairperson of the Trans Himalaya Border Commerce Association, also confirmed that over 1,000 containers have been stranded in the area.     

"Goods being imported for Dashain will be of no use if they arrive after the festival," Karki said, stressing the urgent need to reopen the highway, even if it means creating a temporary adjustable track for container passage.     

Traders, who had reached China to import winter clothing via this route - the shortest way to transport goods from China to Kathmandu are now deeply concerned due to the ongoing disruption.(RSS)