KATHMANDU: The Rasuwagadhi border crossing with China has reopened after remaining closed for six months. The crossing came into operation from today ( January 1) after the Chinese side completed a temporary Bailey bridge over the Lhende River.
Trade between Nepal and China had been completely halted since July 8 after floods in the Lhende River washed away the existing bridge. Although the Bailey bridge was completed around two weeks ago, vehicular movement had not started until now.
Chief Customs Officer of Rasuwagadhi Customs Office, Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai, said Nepali containers have already reached Kerung to bring goods. He added that containers loaded with goods are also expected to arrive in Nepal by the evening.
With the border reopening, imports from China are expected to ease. This includes electric vehicles and other consumer goods. Until now, imports were being managed only through the Tatopani border.
Businessmen say goods ordered for festivals such as Dashain and Tihar are still pending. During the festive season, electric vehicles/ parts and consumer items were imported via the Korala border as Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani were not fully operational.
Meanwhile, floods in July had damaged around 18 locations along the Syafrubesi-Rasuwagadhi road section. Although temporary repairs allowed traffic to resume earlier, the road remains narrow in some areas, restricting two-way movement.
Expansion work to upgrade the road to two lanes is currently underway with a grant from the Chinese government.
