SINDHUPALCHOWK: The Sindhupalchok-Tatopani crossing, part of the Kathmandu-Kodari section, is the shortest trade route between Nepal and China.
Located just 115 km from Kathmandu, it connects to Khasa Bazaar in China.
The alternative Rasuwa-Tatopani Dry Port route in Nepal northern Sindhupalchowk district is slightly shorter at 108 km.
For years, around 800 trucks have been importing goods from Khasa in China through Tatopani.
However, following the 2015 earthquake that severely damaged the Khasa and Tatopani areas, this border crossing was closed for an extended period.
It resumed operations on September 1, 2023. Currently, only about 400 truck containers are used for imports.
Despite the short distance, importing goods remains challenging due to the poor condition of the road.
The temporary route constructed through the Daklang landslide area in Sindhupalchowk presents significant difficulties for transport workers.
The road, located above a hill and beside Bhotekoshi River, was cleared by diverting water from the Pakha area, which had been blocked by landslides.
Truck containers must navigate this precarious lane.
When truck containers struggle to climb the slippery slope on the road, other vehicles often need to pull them up using chains.
Drivers face a daunting task as they maneuver up the narrow, unstable road, with the risk of losing control and falling into the Bhotekoshi River.
On August 10, 2023 at 6 p.m., truck container Na 3 Kha 7604 overturned in this treacherous section.
The accident resulted in minor injuries to driver Dukchiring Tamang and his son, Galjen Tamang.
If these hazardous roads are not upgraded soon, the risk of such accidents will persist, locals said.
Under the same road, conditions are severely deteriorated in areas such as Khakdol in Sindhupalchowk and Khawa in Kavrepalanchowk.
Among these, the most problematic stretch is the 23 km segment between Barhabise and the Tatopani Dryport.
Drivers’ grudges
Karsang Sherpa, a seasoned driver from Sindhupalchok Listi, operates container number Na 3 Kha 635 and has been navigating the Tatopani route for 18 years.
He laments, “Every time I think about this route, I want to quit. The road is in poor condition, never properly repaired or maintained. Sometimes JCV machines are used for temporary fixes, but the problems recur. It’s disheartening.”
Sherpa noted that he earns Rs 5,000 per trip, but due to the deteriorated state of the road, he can barely complete four trips a month, making it challenging to support his family.
Govinda Shrestha, a driver from Bahrabise Municipality-3, operating container Na. 5 Kha 5957, with 24 years of experience, adds, “No businessman or laborer can sustain themselves relying on this road. The journey to Kathmandu, just 108 kilometers away, takes about 7 hours.”
He further explained that the fare for transporting goods is Rs 35,000, with a daily parking fee at customs of Rs 570.
Additionally, a 2.5 percent TDS is deducted from the fare, drivers face weekly detentions, and often lack social security or allowances beyond Rs 5,000.
Finding helpers for containers is also a significant challenge.
Narendra Shrestha, driving container Na. 3 Kha 6985, expresses frustration over the lack of attention from Tatopani Customs, the Road Department, and other local stakeholders.
“It’s disheartening to see that while Tatopani Customs meets its revenue targets, there’s no interest in road construction and maintenance,” he said.
On Friday, a team including Bhimjwala Rai, Central President of the Nepal Transport Independent Labor Organization, Durga Bahadur Shrestha, Chairman of the Route Truck Unit Committee, and Secretary Purushotam Humagain visited Tatopani to assess the road conditions and the plight of the workers.
Chairman Rai informed Gopal Jhapali, a member of the secretariat of the Minister of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, about the dire road conditions and the suffering of the drivers, including issues in Daklang.
Durga Bahadur Shrestha emphasized the urgent need for road construction and repair.
“Our drivers are risking their lives on these dangerous roads. If this road is not repaired and maintained, it will be impossible to transport goods, especially during the festival season,” he stated.
(Photos: By Bhimjwala Rai)
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