Tiptala Border Crossing Reopens After Staff Management

Taplejung. The Tiptala border crossing in Taplejung has been reopened after staff management. According to Chetman Lama, ward chairman of Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-7, the customs office was previously operated solely by local office assistants from Olangchungola.

The customs office was completely closed with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has now been brought into operation with staff management, he informed. He stated that the border crossing came into regular operation on Thursday after Nayab Subba Pradip Dhital was appointed as the chief to operate the customs office.

"Olangchungola is the shortest trade center in the eastern region of Nepal, connecting with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. One can reach the Nepal-China border Tiptala pass by traveling 24 kilometers from Olangchungola," said Ward Chairman Lama.

Local representatives have stated that the original customs office building, constructed about 40 years ago, is now in a dilapidated condition. Ward Chairman Lama informed that requests have been made to the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Department to manage the necessary materials for the construction of a new building and the operation of the customs office through the budget of the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84.

Local engineers had repeatedly urged the Customs Department to send staff to the customs office. Locals are excited with the expectation of regular revenue collection now that Olangchungola is connected to the road network.