Chautara. Sindhupalchowk: The Araniko Highway, which was blocked by a landslide at Eco of Bhotekoshi rural municipality-2 in Sindhupalchowk district on July 14, is yet to be opened.

Since the onset of monsoon, traffic on the highway has been operated by removing landslides several times. The highway has been completely closed as the water of that day puts the settlement above the highway at risk.

Due to the non-opening of the road, materials targeting Dussehra and Tihar have not been brought to the federal capital Kathmandu. Traders have been facing problems as about 1,700 containers of Tatopani area have been stopped in Chinese territory due to the closure of the road.

Tatopani Customs Office Chief Rajendra Prasad Chudal said that although efforts were being made to open the road, it was not possible to say that the road would be opened before Dussehra as the situation was very critical. According to him, there are about 1,000 containers loaded in tatopani area alone.

Ramhari Karki, president of the Himalayan Cross-Border Commerce Association, said more than 1,000 containers have been stopped at Tatopani. He said, “There is no benefit in importing goods after Dussehra. There is a total of 30 meters of landslide at Tatopani border point and the highway should be opened anyway. ’

China mainly imports goods such as electric vehicles, electronic goods and clothing. The goods coming from China are especially essential items for Dussehra and Tihar.

Many traders have now reached China to buy clothes required for the winter from Dashain-Tihar. However, traders are worried after the northern border point, which imports goods quickly and cheaply, has been closed for a month due to floods and landslides.