MUSTANG: The Mustang Customs Office, located in Nechung, Lomanthang Rural Municipality-4, has collected over Rs 3.07 billion in revenue within the first two months of the current fiscal year 2083-84.
According to customs chief Bidur Chudal, revenue collection reached Rs 263.9 million in Shrawan, surging to Rs 2.81 billion in Bhadra.
The increase in trade through the Liji-Nechung (Korala) border point follows disruptions at the Rasuwagadhi Customs Office, which was impacted by floods in the Bhote Koshi River last month. Data shows a significant rise in the import of electric vehicles (EVs) from China. While 100 EVs were imported in Shrawan, the figure rose to 1,223 in Bhadra. Revenue from electric vehicles alone totaled Rs 2.11 billion.
The volume of freight containers also saw a sharp increase, rising from 57 in Shrawan to 697 in Bhadra. “With other northern border points closed, there is immense pressure on our customs office as Nepali traders rush to import goods for the festival season,” said Chudal. Imported goods are transported via the 186-km Beni-Jomsom-Korala road section to Pokhara after customs clearance.
The Korala border point was officially inaugurated on Nov. 13, 2023. As heavy traffic from containers and EVs has caused congestion on the Beni-Jomsom-Korala road, the project office is conducting technical studies for road upgrades and landslide control in affected areas. Project chief Tejaswi Sharma stated that work is being accelerated in areas previously cleared of contractors to improve road safety and transit efficiency.
