After monitoring the Tatopani area of ​​the Nepal-China border, Minister for Forests and Environment, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Madhav Prasad Chaulagain has said that he will take the initiative to make the Kodari Highway systematic and operate the Khasa checkpoint.

During an on-site inspection on Saturday, Minister Chaulagain directed the concerned bodies to solve the landslide risk seen in various sections along the Kodari Highway connecting China in the long term. 

He stressed the need to adopt scientific and sustainable measures for landslide control. 'We will take the necessary initiative to make the road safe and convenient and bring the Khasa checkpoint fully operational,' he said in a meeting with locals. 'The life and prosperity of the people of this area are directly linked to this checkpoint.'

Minister Chaulagain said that the road leading to the Kodari checkpoint is in a very dilapidated condition and its upgrading will be given priority. He said that there should be no delay in improving the road, which is important from a trade, movement and strategic point of view. 

The team that reached Sukute on Friday, including the minister, included Director General of the Road Department Dr. Vijay Jaisi, a representative of Sindhupalchowk, and an engineer. He directed the concerned bodies to proceed with the work expeditiously and effectively, clarifying that the government is serious about this issue. 

During the monitoring, locals complained that they were facing problems in daily movement due to the pathetic condition of the road. They have demanded that road upgrading and landslide control work be carried out immediately. 

Meanwhile, life in the northern part of Sindhupalchowk is gradually returning to normal as the smoke spread due to the fire last month has cleared. Movement around the Tatopani checkpoint has started increasing, and small businesses have also seen activity. 

With the increase in vehicle traffic in Liping and Tatopani markets, locals are starting to hope that the checkpoint will be operational again.

Due to limited agricultural production and lack of employment, residents of the geographically remote Bhotekoshi and Bahrabise regions have been dependent on foreign employment or small-scale border trade. 

Although trade activity has increased recently, the border has not yet been able to operate at its full capacity as the Chinese Khasa market has not been fully operational. Although trade has gradually returned to normal after the 2072 earthquake and the Corona pandemic, exports and movement of people are still almost at a standstill. Currently, border residents can only buy household items by reaching about two dozen small shops near the Miteri Bridge.