Kathmandu. Locals and traders have been facing problems along the Barhabise Tatopani road section, the main trade route between Nepal and China, for years. Hundreds of thousands of goods have been stranded at the border area due to landslides in different parts of the road, which is the main trade route of the country.

Although the border point, which was closed due to the 2072 BS earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, has returned to normal after the floods at Kerung transit point of Rasuwa, it is not in a position to travel without any fear due to landslides in various areas including Kodari landslide and Daklang.

Locals say that they have to face landslides every year due to lack of budget allocation from the government despite it being a major trade route. Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality No. 2 Krishna Bahadur Rai, a local of Chaukidanda, said that the Kodari landslide causes problems every year since the month of June and the local government, federal and state governments have not paid much attention to prevent landslides during the winter season.

He said that not only the road but also 300 houses are at risk due to the landslide. Rai said that although the locals have demanded every time for the prevention of landslides and for the repair of the road, no one has paid heed to it.

According to local Arjun Dhatane, although the landslide started in 2038 BS, it has not been effectively controlled so far. He said that although the government should have effectively implemented the prevention and control of the border point as it is the main border point, it has not done anything so far.

He complained that the local, state and federal governments are not paying attention to the landslide every year. Sub-Engineer at Road Division Charikot, Ram Krishna Rimal, said that gravel is being laid on temporary basis for landslide control, prevention and smooth operation of the road.

He said although the landslide could not be controlled immediately due to the old landslide, the road operation and landslide prevention works are being carried out on a temporary basis.