Kathmandu, Dec. 30 -- Beijing has decided to halt the construction of the Rasuwa dry port at the northern border point after a flash flood in July destroyed more than 90 percent of the under-construction facility. Officials privy to the matter say Beijing has not elaborated on the reason for the halt.

"The Chinese government wrote to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs three months ago, deciding to halt the construction of the dry port. It is not clear whether China will resume the project," said Ashish Gajurel, executive director of the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board, which oversees dry port facilities in the country.

According to the board, almost 80 percent of the construction work at the Rasuwa dry port had been completed ...