September 2: Petroleum products have started entering Nepal from Panitanki of West Bengal state of India after almost five months. This route was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Mechi Customs Office, Nepali tankers have already started bringing petrol and diesel from Siliguri.

The West Bengal state had closed this entry point for indefinite period of time as a precautionary measure. Currently, it has been partially opened.

Earlier, Indian cargo vehicles were allowed to enter Kakadbhitta of Nepal through this customs point, but those vehicles had to find another route to return back to India. This problem has not been resolved but the empty vehicles can enter India only from 8 am till 5 pm.

Although the West Bengal government had eased vehicular movement from this transit point some time ago, petroleum product was not allowed until now.

The West Bengal government had closed this border on April 8 citing the risk posed by coronavirus. One month later, the state government opened one-way traffic for cargo vehicles to enter Nepal from May 9.

It was only on June 21 that the state government opened two-way traffic for import and export of selected products.

The obstruction in flow of goods and vehicles had affected revenue collection of the Mechi Customs Office.