Sindhupalchok — As the Dashain festival approaches, China has once again obstructed the supply of goods to Nepal, causing concern among Nepali traders. Due to ongoing tunnel construction between Tatopani and Khasa markets, containers carrying Dashain goods have been stuck in Khasa and Nyalam. This blockade has raised fears among Nepali businesses that essential goods and fruits for Dashain may not arrive in time.

According to the Tatopani Dry Port and Customs Office, 93 containers from transport companies like Namaste, Silk, and Rakhemai are stranded in the Chinese regions of Khasa and Nyalam, with 70 of these containers carrying goods intended for the Dashain festival. Businessman Kapil Pakhrin stated, "With Dashain approaching, we are increasingly worried that the goods sent by traders will not reach the capital on time, affecting dozens of traders like us."

The daily parking fee for containers stranded in Nyalam and other parking areas is nearly 1,000 Chinese Yuan, adding further financial burden on the traders. Of the stranded containers, 23 are carrying perishable fruits, some of which have already begun to spoil. Pakhrin added, "Some of the goods in the containers have started to rot. A single Chinese container holds as much as three Nepali containers, and some apple-laden trailers are too large to even reach Khasa."

Although former Chief Customs Officer Dayanand K.C. of the Tatopani Dry Port and Customs Office requested assistance from Chinese authorities in Zhangmu Customs, a quick resolution seems unlikely. China is in the process of transforming Khasa into a smart city within three years, having already demolished 50% of its old buildings. The construction of roads and tunnels is progressing rapidly, preventing containers from entering Khasa for several more days.

Newly appointed Chief Customs Officer Kamal Kumar Bhattarai stated, "If Chinese containers are delayed in reaching Tatopani, prices will rise significantly. With added costs for parking fees, food, and interest on bank loans due to delays, the burden will ultimately fall on consumers. Traders are facing the pressure of waiting for goods to arrive during the Dashain season."

Ishwar Gubhaju, General Secretary of the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also emphasized efforts to resolve the issue affecting traders. He mentioned, "The complaint remains that the delay in Chinese customs is causing containers to be stuck. The ongoing tunnel construction between Nyalam and Khasa is responsible for the hold-up. We are working to resolve this issue."

Given the current situation, traders are worried that the goods may not arrive in Nepal in time for Dashain, which could force Nepali consumers to pay higher prices for essential items.