The Rasuwagadhi border point, Nepal’s international trade gateway with China, has resumed operations from today, with import and export activities set to begin after a temporary suspension.
Although movement for vehicle drivers had been allowed since last Sunday, trade had not resumed as the Miteri Bridge at Rasuwagadhi was under reconstruction. The bridge, damaged by floods on Asar 24, was completed last Saturday.
Chief District Officer of Rasuwa Rajesh Panthi said import and export through the checkpoint will start from today. “Drivers transporting goods had crossed into China from last Sunday. From January 1, vehicular movement will operate under a one-way, alternating system,” he said.
From today, the customs office will inspect inbound and outbound vehicles and grant permission for cross-border movement. The Chinese side has stated that the one-way alternating traffic system will be strictly enforced during this period. As road blacktopping work is underway in the G216 border section, only half of the route will be used for cross-border movement from January 1 to January 8.
During this period, traffic will be allowed from 9 am to 2 pm Chinese time, while movement will be restricted for the rest of the day. After January 8, vehicle entry will be permitted from 9 am to 1 pm Chinese time—one hour longer than regular customs hours—with temporary operations continuing from 2 pm to 7 pm.
The Miteri Bridge, which came into operation in May 2019 (Jestha 2076), had been washed away by floods, disrupting road connectivity between Nepal and China. The bridge had previously suffered damage from floods in 2020 and was repaired and reopened. Flooding in the Lhende River, which flows from China, frequently damages infrastructure during the monsoon, leading to repeated disruptions in cross-border connectivity.
The bridge was built with Chinese investment. After sustaining further damage during the 2015 earthquake, it was reconstructed by Tibet Engineering Company Limited Tansen Road and Bridge. As trade volume increased, the new bridge was constructed about five meters northeast of the original location.
