Non-Resident Indian (NRI) pilgrims returning from the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage have started entering Nepal through the Tatopani crossing after the flood last Tuesday closed the route to China's Tibet from the Rasuwagadhi crossing.
Pilgrims who entered China at the beginning of June through the Rasuwa crossing have started returning to Nepal through the Tatopani crossing after the Timure-Kerung road was cut off due to Tuesday's flood. Although the Chinese government opened the Rasuwa-Kerung border crossing to Kailash Mansarovar, they were brought through an alternative route after the flood blocked the route.
According to Krishna Khanal, head of Tatopani Kodari Immigration Office, 188 pilgrims have returned to Nepal on Wednesday alone. On Tuesday, 72 people were sent to Kathmandu through Kodari crossing by four Manang Air helicopters. Police said that the remaining 64 tourists were sent to Kathmandu via the same route by bus.
Chief District Officer Kirana Thapa informed that non-resident Indians with citizenship of America, Canada, Ireland, Malaysia and Singapore of Indian origin have returned in hot water. "Because the Bahrbise-Kodari road is dilapidated, most of the passengers have been taken to Kathmandu by helicopter," he said. According to Chinese immigration information, a large number of pilgrims are yet to return through the Tatopani crossing.
revenue is expected to increase
As Bhotekosi was hit by floods and the Rasuwa port was closed, all containers are coming through Tatopani. According to Rajendra Prasad Chudal of Tatopani dry port, all goods are coming through Tatopani after the closure of Rasuwa port. He said that if the roads are regular, the annual target will be achieved easily.
Tatopani Customs has collected about 19 billion revenue so far, with a target of 21 billion revenue collection annually, he said. Earlier, Kafle informed that revenue collection was affected for three months due to dilapidated condition of Kodari road and natural calamity.
