Himalayan Times
October 16, 2015
The movement of trucks and containers on the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung route resumed today after the route was reopened nearly six months after the devastating earthquake of April 25. Both the trade routes with China via land — Rasuwagadhi-Kerung and Tatopani-Lhasa — were damaged by the massive quake in April and the powerful aftershock on May 12.
“After the maintenance of the customs offices and damaged road sections on both sides, trade with China via land route has officially resumed from today,” said Shiva Prasad Tripathi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies.
Though a larger chunk of the trade with China is being carried out through sea route, the reopening of Kerung route is expected to accelerate the movement of vehicles laden with essentials and industrial raw
materials. This might provide some relief to the public as the continuous obstruction in the movement of
vehicles from India to Nepal has created short supply of essentials and industrial raw materials.
Many trucks and containers laden with essential goods were stuck at the Chinese border of Kerung and Lhasa after the earthquake. The Ministry of Commerce and Supplies has said that Tatopani-Lhasa trade route will also reopen very soon. Nepal has already opened the track of the damaged section of Tatopani-Lhasa trading route and maintenance of the road has been accelerated on both Nepal and China side.
A version of this article appears in print on October 16, 2015 of The Himalayan Times.
