Nepali consumers flock to Indian market in Sunauli for Tihar

By Laxman Poudel 

Bhairahawa, Oct. 19: The number of Nepali consumers shopping in the Indian market of Sunauli, just across the border in Rupandehi, has been steadily increasing on the eve of Tihar festival. The hustle and bustle that started during Dashain has now intensified.

During the day, Sunauli market, near the Belahiya border post, is dominated by Nepali customers. Not only during the Dashain-Tihar festival but also during the wedding season, the market is filled with shoppers, adding to the vibrancy of the area.

At this time of the year, thousands of Nepali shoppers visit Sunauli to buy everything from food items to clothes. One can often see crowds of pedestrians carrying bags heading towards the Belahiya border, while long lines of motorcycles can be seen as people try to cross into India.

Namita Dhakal, from Devinagar, Butwal-11, also visited Sunauli market last Friday for some regular shopping. "I went there to buy ladies' items that I needed. I heard it's a bit cheaper than Butwal, so I came here. Now I'm also buying sugar along with it," she said.

Currently, sugar is priced at Rs. 99 per kilo in Butwal and Bhairahawa, while in Sunauli, it costs only Rs. 72 per kilo. Other food items are also cheaper, according to consumers.

Maya Puri, from Shankarnagar, Tilottama-4, said, "Many people say that Sunauli market is cheaper, so we also thought of coming here. Some items seem cheaper, but we're not sure about the quality."

The increasing attraction of Nepali shoppers to Sunauli has left traders at the border concerned. According to Bishma Prasad Neupane, former president of the Siddharthanagar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the impact of the Sunauli market has been most strongly felt by businesses in Bhairahawa.

"Here, if the oil runs out while cooking, we have to cross over to the other side to buy it," he said. "When goods are brought in cheaper from across the border like this, it significantly affects local industries and businesses."

Neupane suggested that the government needs to address this issue. "At least the goods coming from India should be legal. If a record-keeping system is established, where even one kilo of sugar is documented, it would provide clearer data and reduce the long lines for shopping," he said. 

Due to the growing trend of cross-border shopping, business in Butwal and Bhairahawa markets has slowed down. According to Hari Prasad Aryal, president of the Butwal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, trade has not been up to expectations.

"The trade has not been as expected. Many customers are still heading towards Sunauli. It seems the government needs to implement stricter policies to address the matter," Aryal said. 

The head of the Bhairahawa Customs Office, Shivlal Neupane, confirmed that checks are being strictly enforced, and surveillance on the passenger side has increased. He also mentioned that while consumers bring small quantities of goods across the border, stricter actions are being taken for large quantities.