Bhadrapur (Jhapa), May 4: Bhadrapur market, one of the oldest towns in the country, is showing signs to returning to its past glory of a bustling trade centre. Thanks to the government’s decision to tightened customs checkpoints, the local market has seen a rise in business since the past few days.
There are positive signs in Bhadrapur’s business as consumers, who have been dependent on the neighbouring Indian market for a long time, are gradually returning to the domestic market. Locals say that the market has started to become lively from the Nepal side after customs duty was imposed on goods worth more than Rs 100 when brought to Nepal from India.
Since daily necessities, garment and other goods were available at cheap prices across the border, the attraction of Nepali consumers used to be concentrated there. However, the recent tightening of customs checkpoints seems to have had a direct impact on the business activities of the border market.
According to Ravi Gupta, the operator of ‘Ravi Vastralaya’ in Bhadrapur-6, business had been in a very sluggish state for some time. “We were about to give up business and look for other options,” he said, “but the business of the last few days has given us hope again.” The current business has increased by 30 to 40 per cent compared to the past. If this situation continues, the business will increase by 100 percent.
Similarly, Shatrudhan Prasad, the operator of ‘Rajesh Store’ in the same location, terms the recent business situation as promising. According to him, although the business of a few days has given a positive signal in the market, there is still uncertainty about its stability. “If the strictness in customs continues, business can increase further,” he said.
Devendra Kishore Dhungana, a veteran journalist from Bhadrapur, recalls the historical commercial importance of Bhadrapur and says that this area was very famous in the past. “Until 2034 BS, the main customs office of Jhapa was in Bhadrapur,” he said, “but after it was later shifted to Kakadbhitta, the business activity in Bhadrapur gradually declined.” According to him, although the current customs tightening may not immediately bring back the glory of the past, it will definitely have some positive impact on business.
The impact of the strict customs regulations is also visible in people’s mobility. According to Prem Bahadur Lama, information officer at the Bhadrapur Customs Office, the decrease in public mobility at the border has directly affected revenue collection.
According to the data of the Bhadrapur Customs Office, Rs 134.379 million revenue has been collected till April end of the current fiscal year 2082/83. Goods including textiles, hardware, food, and electronic equipment are imported through this border.
Meanwhile, security agencies have also increased surveillance at the border. According to Shankar Shah, Deputy Superintendent of Armed Police at Armed Police Force Nepal No. 2 Battalion Headquarters, Jhapa, although some concessions are given for goods brought in for household purposes, they are allowed to enter only after screening. “Goods are allowed to enter only after paying the necessary customs duties, separating commercial and personal use items,” he said.
