Rasuwagadhi border reopens after reconstruction of Miteri Bridge

BY GANGA KUMARI MIJAR,Rasuwa, Dec. 29: With the completion of the reconstruction of the Miteri Bridge at Rasuwagadhi in Gosaikunda Rural Municipality-2, which was damaged by floods on July 8, the Rasuwagadhi border checkpoint along the Nepal-China border resumed operations from Sunday after remaining closed for nearly six months.

According to Chief District Officer Rajesh Panthi, Nepali truck drivers involved in cross-border transportation have begun travelling toward Kerung from 7 am onward. He stated that the decision had been made to reopen the checkpoint effective from January 1, following the successful technical inspection of the under-construction Bailey bridge over the Lhende Khola at the Nepal-China border.

From January 1 onward, cargo vehicles and traders will also be permitted to pass through the checkpoint. A notice issued by the Chinese side states that passengers involved in cross-border transportation will be allowed entry starting Sunday. It further states that all foreign trading companies must inform the relevant authorities in advance, and that Nepali drivers and staff must complete all necessary preparations, including vehicle loading and documentation, before entry.

Meanwhile, Inspector Bikram Kunwar of the Timure Border Police Post said that representatives of business firms had already departed for Kerung to manage cargo containers that had transported goods there on July 8. 

From January 1, the customs office will allow the movement of vehicles only after inspecting both inbound and outbound traffic. During this period, a strictly enforced one-way alternating traffic system will be implemented, according to the Chinese authorities.

Additionally, due to ongoing blacktopping work on the road in the G-216 border area, only half of the roadway will be used for cross-border movement from January 1 to January 8. During this time, traffic will be open from 9 am to 2 pm (Chinese time), while vehicle movement from both sides will be restricted during the remaining hours.

After January 8, vehicle entry will be permitted from 9 am to 1 pm (Chinese time), which is one hour longer than normal customs hours. Furthermore, traffic will temporarily operate again from 2 pm to 7 pm.

The Miteri Bridge, which came into operation in 2019, was washed away by floods in July, completely cutting off the road connectivity between Nepal and China. Earlier, floods in 2020 had also damaged the bridge, which was repaired and brought back into operation. Seasonal flooding of the Lhende Khola, which flows from the Chinese side, has repeatedly caused damage to the bridge and surrounding road infrastructure.

The bridge, constructed with Chinese investment, had deteriorated following the 2015 earthquake. It was later reconstructed by Tibet Engineering Company Limited and Tangshan Road and Bridge Engineering Company.