Nepal to Open Immigration Office at Strategic Korala Border with Tibet
By Yangchen Lhamu
DHARAMSALA, 25 Sept: The Nepal Government has announced plans to establish an immigration office at the Korala border point, a strategic border point in Lomanthang, Upper Mustang, connecting Nepal and Chinese-occupied Tibet.
Korala’s infrastructure development has taken a significant leap with the establishment of transmission lines and Nepal Telecom’s communication services, paving the way for the launch of immigration office operations, reported The Kathmandu Post.
The immigration office is slated for launch ahead of the major Hindu festival of Dashain, commencing in October’s second week, the report said, citing the District Administration Office, Mustang.
“Preparations to set up an immigration office at the Korala border point are at the final stage,” the report quoted Janak Raj Panta, Chief District Officer of Mustang, as saying. “The immigration office building has already been connected to the national grid. Work is ongoing to install internet service and set up other required devices.”
To formally launch the immigration service, authorities are coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs to confirm Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak’s visit to Korala.
The Gandaki provincial government has constructed a 10-room prefabricated building in front of China’s customs office to house an immigration office and security check post.
The key infrastructure developments are such that a technical team from the Baglung branch of Nepal Telecom has set up a tower at Nechungdanda, enabling internet services in the area. The Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to build a dry port on 1,000 ropanis of land in Korala and Nechung. Essential services of electricity and internet have been extended to Korala.
Chinese authorities are reported to have already built the “necessary infrastructure” including a customs office, quarantine office, employees’ residence building, laboratory, warehouse, and truck and container parking area at the Korala border point.
Korala’s was reopened in November 2023, after a three-year closure due to COVID-19. The area is crucial for trade, with villagers relying on Tibet for essential goods.
The Trade and Transit Agreement signed by Nepal and China in 2016 allows free travel to dry ports in both countries. China allows trade and transit through six border points, and Korala is the fourth reopened point.
