'Diplomatic initiatives needed to fully reopen Tatopani border point'

Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet has said that diplomatic efforts were needed to fully reopen the Tatopani border point that suffered extensive damages from the destructive Gorkha Earthquake 2015.

Inaugurating the newly-constructed administrative building of Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchowk district on Thursday, Minister Basnet said the Nepal side should convince China to resume the border point.

"Tatopani border point has not come into operation despite our efforts for long. The government should convince the Chinese government diplomatically to reopen the border point. Talks are ongoing on a political level," Basnet added.

Normal life of the public in the area is directly affected after the closure of the border point.

On a different note, Minister Basnet said that the practice of payments at the end of the fiscal year after the construction works has to be changed adding that quality construction works should be prioritized.

Likewise, he said that the government was working to ensure basic education and health care services to the citizens.