Officials call for opening trade routes with China

Kathmandu December 3- In the wake of Indian blockade, Government has been exploring different ways to diversify trade for which opening more trade routes with China and developing infrastructure at northern border points have been major focus.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport recently forwarded a proposal to the Cabinet, seeking to upgrade the Betrawati-Rasuwagadhi section into a double-lane road in order to facilitate bilateral trade between Nepal and China. With the government holding talks with the northern neighbour for commercial imports of petroleum products, upgrading the road to Rasuwagadhi has now become a priority. Out of nine border points with the northern neighbour, only three points-Rasuwagadhi, Tatopani and Korala-are connected through roads.

 The house committee that inspected Rasuwagadhi and Korala border points has suggested that the government categorise the road connecting Rasuwagadhi as national pride project and widen it at the earliest.

Northern points
Rasuwagadhi (Rasuwa)

– Connected with road. Currently the only border point used for bilateral trade Tatopani (Sindhupalchowk)
– Connected with road. Not in operation after April 25 quake Korala (Mustang
– Connected with road. In operation. Limited cross-border trade at local level Larke (Gorkha
– Not connected with road. In operation. Limited cross-border trade at local level Lamabagar (Dolakha
– Not connected with road. In operation. Limited cross-border trade at local level Yari (Humla
– Not connected with road. In operation. Limited cross-border trade at local level Mugu village (Mugu
– Not connected with road. In operation. Limited cross-border trade at local level Kimathanka (Sankhuwasabha
– Not connected with road. In operation. Limited cross-border trade at local level Olangchungola (Taplejung
– Not connected with road. In operation. Limited cross-border trade at local level

Source: TKP