Kathmandu, October 6
Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal said the government is in continuous dialogue with China to reopen the Tatopani border point.
Lamsal made the statement at a meeting of the Parliamentary Special Committee on the Impact of Climate Change in the Himalayas, Climate Justice and the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli Disaster held at Singha Durbar.
“We are also working on how to reopen the Rasuwagadhi border point. There is currently no problem on the Nepali side at the Tatopani border point. The Nepali side has already restored the road for operating the Tatopani border point,” Lamsal said. “We are ready even now. We face no difficulty in operating the border point. We are also in regular dialogue with the Chinese side. Discussions are taking place almost daily.”
He said although disasters had caused problems in operating the border points, the government was working to immediately restore roads and other infrastructure. He said the Nepali side was ready to operate the Tatopani border point but had yet to receive permission from the Chinese side.
“They are not ready yet. Our dialogue is continuing. It appears that the Chinese government remains somewhat reluctant to operate the border point under such circumstances, citing floods and other disasters,” he said. “They have not yet given the ‘green signal’ to operate the border point during the disaster situation. We are making efforts. I believe we will succeed in reopening the border point soon.”
Minister Lamsal said the government was also making plans to resume operations at the Rasuwagadhi border point, as it is a major trade route with China.
