Photo: Chitra Kumar Mijar/TRN

More than 600 containers are still stranded in the vicinity of Nyalam due to delays in checking containers carrying goods arriving at the Tatopani border crossing point at Nyalam Customs in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

President of the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Buddharaj Basnet, said that containers have been stopped in places like Nyalam, Khasa, and Ramite in Tibet due to the delay in checking and clearing containers carrying goods at the Nyalam Customs.

He alleged that goods worth billions of rupees that were being sent to Tatopani Customs through the Tatopani border checkpoint have been stranded due to delays in checking the goods.

Basnet has urged the government to take diplomatic initiatives with the Chinese government to expedite the clearance of goods at Nyalam Customs.

The inspection of electric vehicles has been given priority, which has caused a delay in the inspection of degradable and day-to-day goods and materials, said the Nyalam Customs to President Basnet.

After the flood washed away the structures, including the Miteri Bridge at the Kerung border crossing on July 8, all trade there was diverted to the Tatopani border crossing. However, the recent 'eco' landslide along the Kodari road section of the Tatopani Customs caused the disruption.

However, despite the clearing of disruption, the Nyalam Customs have failed to clear and dispatch of the goods and materials carried in the containers, which has caused hassle to businessmen.

Tatopani Chief Customs Officer Rajendra Prasad Chudal said that although there is no problem at the Tatopani Customs Office and the border road, Nyalam Customs has delayed the clearance and dispatch of the goods.

Indra Raut, Vice-President of the Sindhupalchowk Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the containers stopped in the Nyalam area contain winter goods, clothes, shoes, electronic goods, ready-made goods, and electrical equipment.

Nyalam Customs has been clearing 15 containers daily and sending them to the Tatopani border. This number is much less compared to the past. Before the monsoon, Nyalam Customs used to clear 50 to 60 containers and send them to the Tatopani border.

By Chitra Kumar Mijar