KATHMANDU, Feb 2: Over 1,000 Nepal-bound cargo containers have been stuck at the Visakhapatnam Port, India, due to dilly-dallying by shipping companies and Indian railway companies to deliver the imported goods on time.
According to Nepal Freight Forwarders’ Association, mostly the consignments carry goods imported from China. Many of them have been stocked at the Indian port for as long as the past four months of reaching the port.
Vizag port officials meet Birgunj traders
The shipping companies concerned are responsible for bringing the imported goods up to Nepal-India borders via the sea ports in India. In addition, three railway companies including Indian government-owned Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) transport imported goods to the border points.
Traders said lack of initiatives by CONCOR and the shipping companies concerned are among the main reasons behind the delay in the delivery of goods at present. The amendment to Nepal-India Railway Services Agreement done last July broke the monopoly of CONCOR, following which two private railway companies Hind Terminals and Pristine Logistics have been added to the list of service providers.
