KATHMANDU — Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have drawn the attention of the government to the fact that the closure of major trade points with China in view of the festive season may have a direct impact on the supply of essential goods for the upcoming Dashain and Tihar.

The Kerung border point in Rasuwa and Korala border point in Mustang have been affected due to natural calamities. The floods in the Bhotekoshi area of Rasuwa have affected the Kerung border point, while the Korala border point in Mustang has also been closed due to incessant rains, the lawmakers said.

Lawmakers have demanded the government to immediately bring into operation the Tatopani border point, saying supply of goods imported from China has become more difficult after the two major border points were affected.

Speaking at the meeting of the House of Representatives, lawmaker Bharat Prasad Parajuli said supply of essential goods might be affected during the festival season when major trade transit points with China were affected due to natural disaster.

According to him, Kerung transit point has been affected due to flooding in Bhotekoshi area of Rasuwa and Korala transit point in Mustang has also been closed due to incessant rain.

“The government should take initiative to create a situation in which goods can be imported and sold through Khasa (Tatopani) border point due to problems at Kerung and Korala border points,” he said. ’

According to MP Parajuli, the Tatopani border point could become an important alternative route for goods imported from China after the Kerung and Korala border points were affected. However, he said that the traders and importers have to face more problems after the import of goods from China was banned from the Tatopani border point citing high risk.

He said that due to the closure of the checkpoint, thousands of containers carrying essential goods for the festival have been affected in the border areas. He said that although other checkpoints could not come into operation immediately, the government should immediately take diplomatic initiative with China for the operation of Tatopani border point in a comparatively easy manner.

Lawmaker Parajuli said that the demand for daily consumables increases in the market during the festive season, which may affect the market as the import is affected. Therefore, he stressed that the government should take necessary initiatives to use alternative trade routes and reopen the closed border points to ease the supply system before Dashain and Tihar.

He also urged the government to pay attention to ease trade activities by coordinating with China regarding the situation at the transit points affected by the natural disaster.

He demanded that an environment should be created to use Tatopani border point as an alternative trade route especially if Kerung and Korala border points could not come into operation immediately.

Heavy rains, floods and landslides obstruct border points and major highways on the Chinese side

Parajuli demanded that the government should take initiative at diplomatic level with China to bring the Tatopani transit point into operation at the earliest so as not to hamper the supply of essential goods for the festive season.