Korala border crossing to reopen on Nov 13

KATHMANDU: The Korala entry point along Nepal-China border in the Lomanthang Rural Municipality of Mustang is set to reopen on November 13.

According to Tashi Norbu Gurung, the chairman of Lomanthang Rural Municipality, Chinese officials have communicated with the rural municipality that the border point will resume operations on November 13. “Locals from Lomanthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda rural municipalities will now be able to travel to China by showing their ID cards,” Gurung told RSS news agency.

The governments of Nepal and China agreed to reopen 14 border crossings, including Korala, during the recent China visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Officials from bordering areas of both countries have held four rounds of meetings so far to formalize this agreement.

The Korala entry point was closed for the movement of goods and people in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, the border point used to host bi-national trade fair twice a year.

Meanwhile, the District Administration Office, Mustang, has issued ID cards to over 1,000 residents of the two rural municipalities. Additionally, the government is making arrangements to depute personnel at the Nechung Customs Office near the Korala border point. The Armed Police Force has already established a border outpost at Nechung.

According to local people, people of both countries used to travel across the border without any obstruction until 2001. However, China subsequently erected fences and only permitted people to travel between the border for trade fairs twice a year.