The immigration office at Korala, a strategic border point between Nepal and China in Upper Mustang’s Lomanthang, has come into operation from Wednesday.

Previously, only Mustang locals with permits issued by the District Administration Office could cross the Korala border for trade. The new office now allows easier access for all Nepali citizens intending to travel through this point.

Inaugurating the office at Lomanthang Rural Municipality-1, Nechung of Mustang district, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak expressed optimism that the initiation will strengthen Nepal’s bilateral ties with China.

“The immigration facility will be instrumental in easing the movement of citizens and fostering bilateral trade further cementing the bond between Nepal and China,” he said.

Nepal has installed a prefabricated 10-room immigration and security post at the border, recently equipped with electricity, internet, and mobile phone connectivity. The government extended the central transmission line to Korala and provided Nepal Telecom’s internet services.

The Chinese side has also constructed essential infrastructure, including customs facilities, quarantine areas, accommodations, a laboratory, and truck parking. These facilities aim to enhance efficiency at the Korala dry port, for which the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board has prepared a detailed project report for further development.

Located at an altitude of 4,650 metres, the Korala border was officially inaugurated on November 13 last year, in a joint ceremony between Mustang’s Chief District Officer and an official from China’s Sigatse province. Expansion of trade activities in this border has been deemed as a landmark step towards economic prosperity by connecting with both northern and southern trade routes.

With the Korala border point coming into operation, now Nepal, India and China trade can be operated through this route as well. The Kaligandaki Corridor that reaches upto the Korala border point is connected with Siddhartha Highway in Syngja district and the road ends at the Sunauli border point with India in Rupandehi district. The route from Nepal-India border point at Sunauli to Nepal-China border point at Korala through Siddhartha Highway and Kaligandaki corridor is taken as a possible alternative trilateral trade route between the three countries.