The trading window is expected to run from June to September, with a possible extension depending on weather conditions. Officials anticipate higher participation this year, aided by improved road connectivity to the high-altitude pass.
Trade permits will be issued following established procedures, giving traders and helpers sufficient time to register.
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District Magistrate Ashish Kumar Bhatgai said coordination meetings have been held with key departments to ensure readiness ahead of the reopening.
The report noted that the Ministry of External Affairs has informed authorities in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, prompting local administration to begin preparations for the trading season.
Strategic route with political sensitivities
Border trade through Himalayan passes has a long and complex history. While it was halted after the 1962 India–China war, the Lipulekh route was reopened in 1992 and functioned until the pandemic forced another shutdown in 2020. Local traders have since been pushing for its revival, especially after the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumed last year via the same route.
However, the reopening carries geopolitical undertones, reported TOI.
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Nepal has long disputed the status of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, claiming these areas as part of its territory, while they have remained under Indian administration since the British era.
Tensions peaked in 2020 after India inaugurated a road linking Dharchula to Lipulekh, a move Nepal objected to, followed by Kathmandu releasing a revised political map asserting its claims.
Recent political developments in Nepal, including a change in leadership after elections earlier this month, may influence how the issue evolves, though objections to trade via the route have persisted.
Infrastructure boost to drive higher trade volumes
Located at an altitude of about 17,500 feet, Lipulekh Pass connects India with Tibet near the town of Taklakot (Purang) and has historically served traders and pilgrims for centuries.
The resumption of trade is expected to benefit from significantly improved infrastructure. A motorable road completed in 2020 now replaces the earlier system of transporting goods by mules and sheep, cutting down travel time and logistics costs.
Authorities are working to ensure all facilities are in place at the Gunji trade mart, including coordination with banks, customs, telecom services and security agencies.
With better connectivity and renewed access, officials expect the reopening to provide a boost to local economies while reviving a key cross-border trade link in the region.