Kathmandu, Nov. 28 -- Local traders fear they may miss the winter shopping season too, like they lost the summer and festive shopping seasons due to delayed shipments, as their goods are again being held up at the northern border points.

The northern border with China reopened before the festive season in mid-October after being closed for several months, but only a small number of containers were allowed to pass. Hundreds of container trucks have been stranded on the other side of the border for a year.

"The goods ordered for the winter season are stuck at the transit point," said Bachhu Poudel, president of the Nepal Trans Himalayan Border Commerce Association. "Not more than four-five containers are arriving daily from the bordering ...