Mudslides block Nathu-la trade start



FROM THE TELEGRAPH


The Nathu-la border gate covered in snow on Monday. Picture by Prabin Khaling
Gangtok, May 2: The trade between Sikkim and Tibet through Nathu-la did not kick off today as customs officers from India failed to reach the spot because of mudslides along Jawaharlal Nehru Marg.

The slides blocked the road connecting Gangtok with Nathu-la at 9th Mile and 13th Mile yesterday afternoon, trapping some 112 vehicles carrying tourists from Chhangu Lake to Gangtok.

“Customs officials could not come to Nathu-la because of bad road condition and hence, there was no trade today. Chinese traders had come to the Nathu-la border gate but since no officials were present on this side, they returned around 10.30am,” said a police officer posted at Sherathang police outpost, where the trade mart has been set up.

Sources said the border trade, scheduled to open today, took place from May to November. The trade takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Sources in the state commerce department said officials of the commerce and industries department, customs and immigration had finally reached the trading post about 11.30am. The trade usually begins at 10am and Chinese traders who had come in 30 vehicles had returned by then, the sources said.

No traders from the Indian side, however, went to Nathu-la said the sources.