MUSTANG: The Mustang Customs Office at Nhechung in Lomanthang Rural Municipality-4, along the Nepal-China border in northern Mustang, has generated Rs 1.78 billion in revenue over the past 15 days.

The surge in revenue comes after the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border point was completely shut down following floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa. The closure has resulted in a substantial increase in the movement of Chinese goods through the Korala border crossing in Mustang.

Mustang Customs Chief Bidur Chudal said imports of Chinese goods through Korala have risen significantly since both the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung and Tatopani border points were disrupted. The customs office collected Rs 271.1 million in revenue on Friday alone. Chudal said daily revenue collection has averaged around Rs 300 million since September 7.

On Friday, customs officials cleared 71 containers and 106 electric vehicles (EVs), which were subsequently sent to their respective destinations. Chudal said 434 containers and 641 EVs that entered Nepal through Korala after the Rasuwagadhi border point was closed on August 26 had been cleared by Friday.

According to Chudal, the Mustang Customs Office collected Rs 2.31 billion in revenue from the clearance of containers and EVs entering Nepal through the Korala border crossing between mid-July and September 10 of the current fiscal year 2083/84. By August 22, 133 containers and 163 EVs had entered Nepal through the border point.

The Korala border crossing was previously open throughout the year only to residents of Upper Mustang. However, it was later designated as an alternative import and export route after floods, landslides and river erosion disrupted transportation and trade through the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi border points.

Chudal said the Mustang Customs Office collected Rs 6.92 billion in revenue from imports and exports through the northern Korala border point during fiscal year 2082/83.

During the same fiscal year, goods worth Rs 14.41 billion were imported through Korala, while exports were valued at Rs 205 million. Customs officials inspected and cleared 3,223 electric vehicles and 1,873 containers through the border point during the year.