NFTA urges govt to open additional land routes for trade with China
KATHMANDU: Nepal Foreign Trade Association (NFTA) has urged the government to pursue diplomatic initiatives and develop infrastructure to open additional land routes for trade with neighbouring China. This appeal follows the annual closure of the two northern trade routes, Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani, during the monsoon season owing to floods and landslides.
A flood on the night of July 8 washed away the Miteri Bridge connecting Nepal and China, halting the movement of people and commercial goods through Rasuwagadhi. Floods and landslides have also blocked the Tatopani border in Sindhupalchok district for the past two weeks. Hundreds of containers and trucks carrying imported goods have been stranded en route, leaving businesses to bear a significant financial burden.
Given the annual recurrence of these closures, the NFTA has said it is essential to open other crossings to facilitate imports and exports with China. The association has called on the government to bring alternative routes into operation immediately through diplomatic efforts and infrastructure development.
In 2015, the House of Representatives' Committee on Infrastructure Development studied the northern routes and recommended commissioning Korala and Olangchung Gola crossings. More than a decade ago, senior officials from Nepal and China agreed to open northern border points: Tatopani; Korala in Mustang; Kimathanka in Sankhuwasabha; Lamabagar in Dolakha; Olangchung Gola in Taplejung; Namja Pass in Mugu; Yari and Hilsa in Humla; and Larkya La Pass in Gorkha. To date, only Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani have been opened for commercial traffic.
The Korala route can operate year-round, with infrastructure already in place on the Chinese side and road access on the Nepal side. A study has also shown that trade could be conducted via the Olangchung Gola crossing, the NFTA said in a press statement. The association has urged the government to open these routes for commercial purposes and create an environment for other viable crossings.
China is Nepal’s second-largest import partner. According to the Department of Customs, imports worth more than Rs 50 billion passed through Tatopani and over Rs 85 billion through Rasuwagadhi in fiscal year 2024/25.
The NFTA has warned that closure of both routes during the festive season will hinder trading activities, deprive consumers of affordable goods and cause the government to lose revenue, and has urged immediate action to open additional northern routes.
