KATHMANDU: The Mustang Customs Office has collected Rs 2.54 billion in revenue over a 20-day period following a surge in trade through the northern Kora-la border point. The increase in activity follows the closure of the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border crossing due to devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi river in Rasuwa.
With major trade routes like Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani currently closed, the Kora-la border has become the primary alternative route for imports from China. According to Vidur Chudal, chief of the Mustang Customs Office, 564 cargo containers and 1,090 electric vehicles (EVs) have been cleared through the Nhechung checkpoint in Lo Manthang-4 since Aug. 26.
The total revenue collection for the current fiscal year, covering the months of Shrawan and Bhadra, has reached Rs 3.07 billion. Prior to Aug. 26, the customs office had collected only Rs 530,000 during the initial part of the fiscal year. Monthly breakdowns show Rs 263.9 million in revenue for Shrawan, which rose sharply to Rs 2.81 billion in Bhadra.
Specifically, in Bhadra, the import of 1,253 electric vehicles generated Rs 1.93 billion in revenue. In the previous fiscal year, the office collected a total of Rs 6.92 billion over 12 months, during which 3,223 electric vehicles were processed. The current shift in trade routes has resulted in the highest revenue collection in the shortest period for the office to date.
