Kathmandu, Feb. 12
Chobhar Dry Port has started the operation of its
domestic terminal from Sunday.
The first and only dry port in the country away from
any border point had come into operation on 5 April 2022. But as the inflow of
containers was not on a part with expectation, the Nepal Intermodal Transport
Development Board (NITDB), an agency under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce
and Supplies (MoICS) and manager of the port, has decided to divide it into two
parts to operate domestic service as well.
The domestic terminal has parking facility for 150
trucks and containers parking capacity, warehouse of 54 X 54 square metres,
vehicle weighing facility for up to 80 tonnes, load/unload sheds, and restrooms
for drivers and workers.
The NITDB said that vehicles can enter and use the
terminal without paying any fee. Likewise, facilities such as parking of
vehicles, loading/unloading of goods, storage of goods, and other facilities
will be available at a minimal fee.
"It will end the situation where the exporters
have to stop their vehicles on the roadside and pay warehouse fees at a high
price. They will have parking, load-unload and warehouse facility at a
reasonable rate," said the Board.
Executive Director of the NITDB, Ashish Gajurel, said
that due to the lack of business-related physical infrastructure in Kathmandu,
there is a problem in logistics management, so the Board has initiated the
service to facilitate importers/exporters through a one-door system for
facilitating trade.
Construction of the
dry port had begun in August 2018 and was completed in July 2021. It has 65,000
square metres space, enough to accommodate 500 containers and 500 trucks. It
has facilities like quarantine, security, operator company office, banks and
other essential services, three warehouses, three appraisal shades, stuffing
and de-stuffing shade, weighing machines, electricity sub-station, and boundary
light. Trucks and containers can directly reach the facility to clear customs
and other works like quarantine.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 February 2023.
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