Bhittamod dry port construction criticised as unfulfilled promise

By Nagendra Kumar Karna,Mahottari, Dec. 31: Stakeholders have alleged that the construction of a dry port at Bhittamod Malibada, a key border point in Mahottari district, remains only a mere promise. 

Former President of the Jaleshwar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lavaraj Singh, stated that despite approaching three different prime ministers and other concerned authorities, they have received nothing but assurances regarding the dry port construction at Bhittamod.

“We have repeatedly sent delegations, but no progress has been made so far,” Singh said.

During the discussion with federal Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari, the newly elected officials of the Jaleshwar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chairman of the Lotantrik Samajwadi Party Nepal and MP of Mahottari, Mahanta Thakur and Madhes Province Minister for Education and Culture Rani Sharma Tiwari, among others. 

He mentioned that despite frequent visits to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and CPN (Maoist Centre) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, during their tenure as Prime Minister as well as the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce, no action has been taken beyond assurances. 

He urged them to expedite work on the dry port construction, improve the Manipal project, and upgrade the provincial hospital in Jaleshwar into a fully staffed health facility.

“Our delegations have approached everyone, but no one has taken concrete steps. We urge the concerned authority to fulfil our demands,” Singh appealed to the leaders. 

He revealed that the file related to the dry port construction had gone missing from the Ministry of Commerce last year and criticised the government’s inaction, which has left the residents of Jaleshwar feeling neglected.

He pointed out that although the budget repeatedly mentioned a feasibility study for the dry port construction at Bhittamod, no progress has been made so far, and the provision was removed from the budget of the fiscal year 2024/25. 

In the discussion, Mayor of Matihani Municipality and General Secretary of the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party Nepal, Hari Prasad Mandal, expressed disappointment that while India has acquired land and begun building physical infrastructure, including a dry port and integrated check post at Bhittamod on its side, Nepal has yet to take any concrete steps. 

He urged chairman Thakur to initiate a unified effort on this matter.

Speaking at the programme Nepali Congress leader Ashok Sah stated that despite informing the Prime Minister and Finance Minister about the readiness of infrastructure on both sides for upgrading the Jaleshwar Customs Office to a major customs office, the government remains silent. 

He noted that while goods from third countries arrive in Madhes via Birgunj, the longer transport distance raises shipping costs and, consequently, product prices, making Bhittamod an excellent alternative.

Currently, goods transported from Haldia Port in West Bengal, India, to Kathmandu via Birgunj cover a distance of 1,119 km. 

If routed through Jaleshwar, the distance would be reduced by approximately 250 km, which would lower transportation costs and product prices.

He urged authorities to at least initiate work related to third-country imports and exports, highlighting the existence of all necessary structures but no concrete progress.

Bhittamod is considered the second customs point in Madhes Province after Birgunj for trade, particularly in the import of petroleum products, from Barauni, India.

Newly elected President of the Jaleshwar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shiva Chandra Chaudhary, expressed concern over rising public frustration and urged for concrete work on the dry port, the hospital upgradation, and the Manipal project.

On the occasion, Federal Minister for Labour, Employment, and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari assured all possible support and encouraged the Chamber of Commerce to take the lead.

Thakur also expressed understanding of the public’s expectations and emphasised the need for collective efforts to move forward.