Nathula reopens for trade, weather and road condition deny trading

GANGTOK, 02 May: Bad weather marred the opening of the new season of Indo-China border trade at Nathula as no trade could take place on the first trading day this season on 01 May. Road blocks due to heavy rains and landslides in several places on the way to Sherathang Trade Mart on Thursday morning caused traders and officials to reach the trade mart four hours later than scheduled which allowed for barely enough time to formally reopen the border pass for trade. Weather and road conditions permitting, trading should begin Monday.
Border Road Organisation sources inform that the road was blocked at Thulo Khola at 13th Mile at JN Road which was cleared after some hard work put in by BRO officials and labourers.
As per information received from the Commerce & Industries Department, around 15 Indian traders and only 5 traders from the Tibetan Autonomous Region managed to reach the trading mart. Border trade will continue till 30 November with Monday to Thursday every week being trading days.
The Commerce and Industries Department has applauded the job done by the BRO JCB driver who cleared the landslide at Thulo Khola despite 01 May being a holiday.
Joint Secretary of the Commerce and Industries department, Sumitra Pradhan, who is also nodal officer of the border trade states in a press release, “Despite heavy rain, falling boulders and heavy sludge, the JCB driver managed to clear the road risking his life”.
The Department has also appreciated the SHO Sherathang, Diki Lhamu Pakhrin and ASI Budha Subba for their commendable job in clearing the road for vehicular traffic and facilitating the movement of vehicles plying towards Nathula and back.
The opening of the trade on 01 May was attended by the Secretary, Commerce and Industries, PT Euthenpa, Director Bijendra Swaroop and other concerned officials including the officials from Customs, Army, ITBP and SIB personnel and other agencies associated with the Nathula border trade.