Customs Office expected to reopen in Koilabas

Diwakar Pokhrel, Deukhuri, Aug. 12: Before the construction of the East-West Highway, there was an evident business boom in Koilabas market of Dang. Apart from Koilabas, there were not many goods available in Dang, which is now known as a business place. Koilabas was the business centre not only of Dang but also of the entire Rapti region. 

Due to its proximity with India, it was easy to bring goods there, so businessmen also preferred to do business there. But at present, there is almost no business activity in Koilabas.

The houses have collapsed. Even the houses that have not collapsed are leaking, and falling down and are not in a usable condition. The entire pitch of the road is raised, the house is covered with bushes even if you enter the house, and you have to go navigate the bushes.

Currently, the new generation cannot easily believe that there was commercial hubbub in Koilabas,

Heshyam Gupta, who has been living in Dang after running a cloth shop for a long time in Koilabas market, vividly remembers the overall business of Koilabas. 

Gupta, 65, said that he started his business in the coal mine. He says, "There was hardly anyone who didn't go to Coimbatore at that time." They had to go to Coimbatore to buy and sell goods. He remembers that with the opening of Mahendra Highway, businesses started to open different places, including Dang. “Koilabas was the port of the Rapti region. Even now, remembering the business of that time brings joy.”

Six-year-old Krishna Bahadur Chhetri remembers going to Koilabas to sell the mustard and ghee produced in Lamahi along with the senior citizens of his village. "I reached Koilabas once, then I didn't have to go back again. When I saw Koilabas in my childhood and the current Koilabas, I felt excited. Koilabas needs to be resurrected.”

Finance Minister Janardan Sharma had shown his interest in setting up the customs by visiting the Coimbatore area a few days ago. Former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara has also given an assurance that the customs will be opened soon after conducting an on-site inspection of the Koilabas Customs along with a plan to expand the market. 

The government of India has operated a customs office targeting the Koilabas border crossing. Locals are also hopeful that after the Indian side has also operated a customs office, there will be some activity in the customs and market of Coimbatore.

Khaliq Siddiqui, Ward Chairman of Ward No. 8 of Garhwa Rural Municipality, informed that there is a problem due to lack of customs office on the Indian side, and said that customs offices of two countries will be needed for the import and export of goods. He said, "The customs office is necessary for both countries. 

Even though Nepali side opened it, the Indian side did not have it." Now, after the Indian side also has a customs office, we have also been able to export goods in large quantities.

According to the Coimbatore Customs Office, three quintals of vegetables have been exported to India in the month of July alone.

This is a positive factor for customs operations. Before this, for the goods to be exported, Kapilvastu residents had to go to Rupahadiya Customs. The operation of Koilabas Customs is now relatively trouble-free; it is linked by a road network. 

But there is a demand from the locals that it is necessary to enhance the capacity of the customs office. 

Kamal Singh Thakuri, General Secretary of the Deukhuri Industry and Commerce Association, says that it is necessary to upgrade the capacity of the customs office and add service facilities by linking the Koilabas border point with economic activities.

Basanta Rajaure, Head of Koilabas Customs Office, informed that online billing has started but there is still a problem with internet slowness. Now, gradually, the revenue collection from Koilabas Customs has also started to increase. 

Basanta Rajaure, Head of Koilabas Customs Office, informed us that online billing has started. According to Razoure, even though online billing has started, there is still a problem with internet slowness. 

Now, gradually, the revenue collection from Koilabas Customs has also started to increase.