By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Aug. 28: As the construction of dry port in Chobhar, in Kirtipur Municipality-6, has completed, Nepal Intermodal Transportation Development Board (NITDB) is busy studying its operation model.
“The NITDB is working to prepare necessary network and is in consultation with several authorities to operate the newly constructed dry port,” said Yuvak Dangol, NITDB Project Director.
The dry port was constructed under two sections: national and international competitive bidding.

The physical infrastructures related to the port are under construction at the bottom of Chobhar hill while quarters and official buildings on the hill.
“We are in discussion with customs office and coordinating with other concerned bodies to prepare the operation modality of the dry port,” he said, adding, “The ratification process from the parliament has also gathered pace, as is the work to declare Chobhar area a dry port zone in the gazette.”

He further said that they were also discussing the loading, unloading and customs clearing issues at the port as well as those at other dry ports in Birgunj and Tatopani.
“Some works have gone ahead as per the direction of customs office, but the operating deadline of the port remains to be fixed. It may come into operation after Tihar festival,” he said.
Dangol added that the board would operate the port for some time as a trial phase but would later discuss its handling.

The World Bank Group bankrolled Rs. 22 billion for the port, spread across the area of 220 ropanis land in Chobhar, of which 816 ropanis is owned by the Himal Cement Factory.
The port, which has a capacity to accommodate 626 containers, will store goods imported from third countries.

Besides, it has a parking facility for the 205 trucks, warehouses, litigation sheds, customs administrative buildings, banks and loading and unloading facilities.
The NITDB awarded the construction contract to the Aashish Joint Venture and Lumbini-Koshi and Neupane Joint Venture in August of 2018.

As per the previous agreement concerning re-plantation of trees for greenery, it has already planted 8,000 samples of trees at the port area including inner parts of the Kirtipur Municipality’s several wards and Tribhuvan University’s compound area.
“Our target is to plant 10,000 saplings. The remaining 2,000 will be planted in other parts,” he said.
All the works related to Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) have also been completed in Chobhar’s Ganesh Temple area and its surroundings in line with the agreement.