By Chitra Mijar, Sindhupalchowk, May 17: Oxygen cylinders imported from China have started to enter Nepal through Tatopani checkpoint. Some 2500 cylinders have arrived at the customs office and they are likely to be sent to Kathmandu today.

Customs officers at Tatopani said that Nepali merchants had made a purchase order of 18,000 cylinders and out of them, 2500 have arrived at the border today and a process for checking them physically has started.

Ramesh Sherpa, chairman of Silk Transport Company, said that his company was transporting some 18,000 empty oxygen cylinders imported by Nepali merchants from China.

Keshav Kumar Shrestha, inspector at the BOP of the Armed Police Force stationed at Tatopani, said that some four containers had entered Nepal by 12 noon on Monday and of them, two containers had empty gas cylinders and two others had apples.

Sherpa, Chairman of Silk Transport, said that 80 containers laden with oxygen cylinders and other health materials have arrived at Khasa, bordering town in Tibet of China and they would be sent to Tatopani within a couple of days by adopting health protocols.

Naradmani Gautam, chief of Customs office and Tatopani dry port, said that the number of oxygen cylinders and amount of health materials which had arrived at Tatopani checkpoint could be said only after checking them.

He said information about the importer, whether the government or merchants, or amount of goods can be shared only after the imported items are brought to the customs office.

He said all the health related items would be transported to Kathmandu by processing them for customs in a fast way and adhering to health protocols once they arrive at the customs office.