CHAUTARA: The revenue collection from the Tatopani customs point in Sindhupalchowk, serving as the major transit point between Nepal and China, was too less than the target for the last fiscal year.

During the fiscal year 2020/21, a revenue of Rs 1.2 billion was collected from the point against the target of Rs 5.47 billion, said the customs office’s Information Officer Ram Chandra Poudel. The transit point was operational for just four months in the last fiscal year due to the long closure of Nepal-China border bridge, following the damages caused by a flood and landslide and the coronavirus pandemic. When the point was reopened, the import of goods was less than the target.

Prior to the 2015 Earthquake, a revenue over Rs 15 million used to be raised through the transit point on a daily basis. However, it has remained shut for more than five years after the quake. In addition, several incidents of natural disasters have obstructed its full-fledged operation.