Rasuwagadhi Border Point Reopens Fully After Six Months

Rasuwa – The Rasuwagadhi International Border Point has been fully reopened from today, Poush 17, following a prolonged closure caused by flood damage earlier this year. The checkpoint had remained completely shut since Ashadh 24 after severe flooding in the Lhende Khola washed away the Miteri Bridge, disrupting cross-border movement between Nepal and China.

Rasuwa Chief District Officer Rajesh Panthi confirmed that operations resumed from Thursday morning after the completion of bridge construction.

Bailey Bridge Enables Resumption of Traffic

According to the district administration, vehicular movement has restarted after the Chinese government constructed a 91-meter-long Bailey bridge at the site. The newly built bridge has a load-bearing capacity of up to 55 tons, allowing the movement of heavy cargo vehicles.

Officials said the temporary bridge has restored a critical trade link that had been non-functional for nearly six months due to infrastructure damage.

Import Activities Resume

Following the reopening of the border point, import activity has begun immediately. Police reported that eight Nepali container trucks carrying goods have already crossed the Miteri Bridge and headed toward Kerung in China.

Inspector Bikram Kunwar of the Timure Area Police Office stated that several additional vehicles are currently on standby and preparing to cross the border in the coming days.

Significant Revenue Loss During Closure

The prolonged shutdown of the border point resulted in substantial revenue losses. Chief Customs Officer Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai stated that customs revenue from imported Chinese goods has declined sharply, with losses exceeding NPR 22 billion compared to the same period last year.

Rasuwagadhi is one of Nepal’s key trade gateways with China, and its closure had severely affected import volumes and government revenue collection.

Concerns Over Road Conditions and Safety

Despite the reopening, concerns remain over the condition of the Syafrubesi–Rasuwagadhi road section. Due to its deteriorated state, cargo vehicle operations continue to face difficulties.

Local transport entrepreneur Suku Tamang of Yarsa, Rasuwa, urged concerned authorities to prioritize road maintenance and accident prevention measures to ensure the safety of both goods and passengers.

Flood Damage and Temporary Repairs

The flood on Ashadh 24 had caused road damage at dozens of locations along the Galchhi–Rasuwagadhi corridor. While the Galchhi–Rasuwagadhi Road Improvement Project carried out repairs, officials said only basic track opening was possible at the time.

Authorities have emphasized the need for long-term infrastructure strengthening to prevent similar disruptions in the future and ensure uninterrupted cross-border trade.