The undeclared embargo imposed by India on shipments of goods to Nepal has not only affected Nepali markets but also those across the border in India.

The Indian border town of Badhani opposite Krishnanagar, Kapilvastu in Nepal lies deserted today as Nepali customers have stopped going there to do their shopping. In the past, Nepalis would hop across the border en masse to Badhani to do their festive shopping before the start of Dashan and Tihar.

Merchants in Badhani have complained that their business has been badly hit by the disruption of transportation due to the Tarai unrest that has continued for more than one and a half months. The market in Badhani is largely dependent on Nepali customers and wholesalers.

Traders from Dang, Pyuthan, Rukum, Rolpa, Arghakhanchi and Rupandehi in Nepal too come here to buy goods in large quantities. Former president of the Badhani Byapar Mandal Harbhajan Singh said that their business had plunged by 85 percent due to the long-running banda in Nepal.

Indian traders said that goods such as textiles, foods and cosmetics worth millions of rupees have been stranded in warehouses as the Krishnanagar Customs Office and the small customs offices in Maryadpur and Chakarchauda have become inoperational. Trader Mohammad Nabed said that Nepal’s banda had adversely affected his business. His sugar sales have plummeted to 20 kg daily from 300 kg daily in the past. Another trader Sudhanshu Gupta, who deals in cosmetics, said his daily turnover had fallen sharply to Rs5,000 from Rs200,000.

Businessmen here have brought garments worth millions of rupees targeting the upcoming festive season when Nepali businessmen make bulk purchases from traders here.

Garment trader Mandeep Singh said their investments have been lost. “There used to be a huge crowd of Nepali customers aiming to buy garments for the Dashain festival. Now we hardly get any Nepali customers,” he said.