Sindhupalchok, 4 October 2015: Almost six months into various problems inflicted by April 25 massive earthquake, the Nepal-China bordering Tatopani bazaar is gradually recovering from its horrible past, with the market abuzz with traders and local people visiting the market to purchase goods lately and partial-completion of the border route.
Moreover, gradual opening of the quake-affected bazaar and partial-completion of the border route obstructed by monsoon-triggered landslides, following the quake, has added to hopes of the locals, although the bazaar area is yet to return to its actual form.
“We spent almost six months, after the quake, suffering from various social and mental problems. The partial-opening of the track leading to the border route is a matter of happiness,” said local resident Dawa Tamang. “Many people of the area were displaced after the quake. I want to urge them to return to the villages as there is not such danger and insecurity at present,” said Chhombol Lama, owner of local Sonam Lodge, who was met by the scribe during the process of cleaning the blocked route with the help of the Road Department, security personnel and local people.
Local political party leader Sher Bahadur Magar said that people displaced by the quake have started returning to the villages lately.
However, it takes some longer period to clear the route completely and remove debris of the houses destroyed by the disaster.
Also, concerned authorities complained that a team from the Road Division Office (RDO), Charikot is struggling to clear the route for want of essential equipments.
Kumar Shrestha, chairman of local Bhairab Kunda Club, said that additional movements of the market would increase and the supply of essentials and clothes would ease, at a time when festivals like Dashain and Tihar are around the corner, if around 500 containers laden with goods and clothes stuck on Kasha of China following damage of the border route, are passed through soon.
RDO engineer Ram Bahadur Gurung, said that debris have been removed at Ghattekulo on the Kodari road of the Araniko Highway damaged by monsoon-triggered landslides and preparations are underway to upgrade the road soon.
Bishnu Bahadur Shrestha, Vice Chairman of the Nepal Association of Himalayan Cross-Border Commerce, said that the border point should be opened soon. “We cannot rely on others for goods all time. We need to work to live,” he said.
He blamed the Home Ministry for apathy towards opening the border point and resuming trade. It is estimated that the Nepal-China custom point collects about Rs 3 billion in revenue annually. Produces like ghee, flour, foods, and handicraft and leather items among others are exported to China from Nepal while clothes, fruits, electricity equipments and parts of mobile phones among others are imported from China.
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