Protests in Nepal stall trade at key borders; Indian truckers face daily losses of ₹200–250 crore.
Cross-border trade between India and Nepal has come to a standstill as violent protests in Nepal spill over into major trading routes, leaving hundreds of Indian truckers stranded for days.
From Panitanki in West Bengal to Raxaul and Jogbani in Bihar and Sonauli in Uttar Pradesh, key border points have been sealed off by curfews, arson, and repeated road blockades. Truck drivers carrying everything from machinery and medicines to potatoes, fruits, and fuel now find themselves stuck on the highways, forced to sleep in their vehicles with little food or water.
The economic cost is staggering. Truckers’ associations in Bengal and Bihar peg daily losses at ₹200–250 crore, with individual trucks losing lakhs as perishable goods rot in idle containers. In Jogbani’s bustling trade hub, traders estimate losses of nearly ₹500 crore, a shock that has rippled out to affect hotels, restaurants, and some 2,000 daily-wage workers who depend on cross-border commerce.
At the heart of the crisis is the Raxaul Integrated Check Post, through which nearly 600 cargo trucks normally enter Nepal each day. With the closure, more than 310 tankers and trucks carrying fuel and LPG were recalled by Indian authorities, deepening Nepal’s energy shortages. Experts point out that Raxaul handles about 75% of Nepal’s total trade, making the disruption a near paralysis of the country’s supply chains.
For the stranded truckers, however, the losses are personal as well as financial. “We’ve been stuck for four days. Food is running out, goods are spoiling, and every passing hour adds to our debt,” shared one driver near Raxaul, echoing the despair of many.
As unrest in Nepal continues, the fallout on trade, livelihoods, and regional stability is mounting, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Source: Free Press Journal
