Bring cargo trains through Biratnagar Customs Yard, NITDB urges traders

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 2: The Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) has urged the private sector businesses and traders to bring cargo trains through the Biratnagar Customs Yard. 

The (NITDB), Customs Office and Railway Company said they were ready to facilitate the private sector traders while conducting international trade through the Yard. 

During the India visit of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ from May 31 to  June 3 last year, he and Indian PM Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the train service. Subsequently, the first train with cargo arrived at the Nepal Customs Yard in Budhnagar of Biratnagar from Bathnaha, India on June 1. 

Since that day, NITDB, Customs Office and Railway Company have been ready to welcome cargo trains. However, the Yard is not getting enough business. 

Issuing a statement on Thursday, the NITDB said that it has repeatedly discussed the operation of the Yard with business people and is requesting to bring cargo through rail. 

There will not be any hassles if any trader wants to bring in cargo through the Yard, said Executive Director of the Board, Ashish Gajurel. 

Meanwhile, a discussion was held between the NITDB and the Managing Director of the Railway Company, Niranjan Jha in Kathmandu. 

During the discussion, it was decided to immediately deploy contact persons from NITDB and the company at the newly developed Yard. It was also decided that both sides were ready for cargo management and requested businessmen to bring cargo trains.

All preparations have been completed to manage the cargo brought by the traders at the minimum fee set by the Government of Nepal. 

"Security has also been well arranged, if there are any problems, they will be properly managed," said Gajurel. The dry ports and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) in Nepal are modern, and equipped with necessary machines, tools, and human resources, claimed the Board.