The Rasuwagadhi border crossing, which has been closed for four months, is expected to take more time to operate. Currently, a bridge is under construction on the Lhende River with financial and technical assistance from the Chinese government. Due to repeated floods and the bridge collapsing during construction, it has been difficult to complete the work on time.

On Asad 24, the Rasuwagadhi border crossing was closed after the flood in the Lhende River washed away the concrete bridge connecting the border crossing. Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai, Chief Customs Officer of the Rasuwa Customs Office, said that there was no option to operate the border crossing until the bridge was built. “We have received information from the Chinese side that the bridge will be operational by the second week of Mangsir,” he said. 

He said that work is underway to place pillars in the middle after the under-construction bridge buckled. “A meeting was held with the Chinese side last Thursday. Initially, they planned to complete the bridge by Kartik 15,” he said. “We have received information that it will take more time because the bridge buckled.” 

Prepared goods, apples and other fruits have been imported from China through this border crossing. About 100 containers used to pass through this border crossing daily. Although the largest number of electric vehicles used to enter through this border crossing, the import is now closed. ‘Since the bridge was not built, the office has become a place to wait and sit,’ said Chief Customs Officer Bhattarai, ‘During festivals, many vehicles, prepared goods, and fruits used to enter through this checkpoint, and at that time, the revenue would also be higher than before.’ 

He informed that imports have been closed for about four months and revenue collection has been zero. The Rasuwa Customs Office has set a revenue collection target of Rs 40.16 billion in the current fiscal year. ‘The target was to collect Rs 14 billion in revenue by mid-October,’ he said, ‘Since the checkpoint is closed, revenue collection has not been possible since the start of the new fiscal year.’ 

The 16-kilometer road from Syafrubensi to Rasuwagadhi checkpoint is currently in one-way operation. This road has not been able to be operated properly after the flood in Bhotekoshi on Asad 24. The problem has also been compounded by the fact that the flood is digging the road from below. Krishnanath Ojha, head of the Galchhi-Trishuli-Mailung-Syafrubensi-Rasuwagadhi Road Planning Office, said that it would be difficult to widen the road and bring it into operation due to the complex geographical structure. 

Even if the checkpoint is operational after the bridge is built,  containers will have to use this road and the construction of the road section needs to be expedited, said Rasuwa Chief District Officer Rajesh Panthi, who informed the concerned ministry. 

Similarly, customs check-pass has been blocked at the Mustang Customs Office since Tihar. Customs check-pass has been blocked since the power supply and internet service were shut down after the floods accompanied by snowfall. The floods have washed away electricity poles in Kagbeni. It will take a few more days for customs check-pass to start, said Ramesh Khadka, customs officer at the Mustang Customs Office. According to him, containers heading towards China to pick up goods were stopped in Kagbeni when the road connecting the Korala checkpoint was washed away by the floods. He said the road has been operational since Tuesday afternoon.