BIRGUNJ, Aug 27: When the dry port came into operation at Sirsiya of Birgunj in the Fiscal Year 2004/05 only 85 rakes with full cargoes entered Nepal in a year. The import rate of bulk cargo and bag cargo was zero. After one and a half decades of its operation, over 100 rakes enter Nepal every month.

Cargoes loaded in 104 rakes were imported in Nepal in the first month of the current Fiscal Year 2019/20, of which 60 rakes were loaded with containers. Ninety containers of 20 feet come in a single rake.

Seventeen rakes carrying bulk cargoes with same type of goods (especially iron) and 27 bag cargoes carrying sacks have entered the country. A total of 2,000 metric tons of goods are imported through rakes at a single time. Total 5,400 containers carrying 67,000 tons of goods and 42,000 tons of iron have been imported in a month.

Few years ago, it was unimaginable that over hundred rakes would enter the country in a month through the port carrying such large quantities of goods. With the increasing imports, the only dry port that is linked to India's port through rail, the Birgunj dry port has been put into maximum use exceeding its physical capacity. Consequently, expansion and upgrading of its physical infrastructure is being discussed.

Umesh Shrestha, chief of customs office at the dry port, said bulk cargoes and bag cargoes from India and goods in container are imported from third countries.

Industrial raw materials like HS Coil are imported in bulk cargoes. Soy for livestock feed, maize, chemical fertilizer, pig iron, and sponge iron are imported in bag cargoes. According to the statistics of the customs, pulses, spices, liquor, soft drinks, paper, electronic goods, PVC plastic, plastic products, lubricant, machinery, chemicals, other industrial raw materials, and consumable goods are imported in containers from other countries.

Foreign goods in 47,846 containers were imported through Birgunj dry port in the last Fiscal Year 2018/19. Bishnu Kant Chaudhary, CEO of Himalayan Terminals said that importers preferred railways over roadways and the import rate of Nepal is increasing because of which more than 100 rakes of goods entered the country in a month. He stated that being able to handle more than hundred rakes adds enthusiasm among them.

The increasing number of imports has created concern among stakeholders. "The infrastructure of the dry port is insufficient for imports, what will happen in the future?" questioned Ashok Temani, member of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry and president of Road Transport and Transit Committee. "Will the dry port be able to withstand the import of clinker's rake that are unloading in Muzaffarpur, about 50 rakes of goods that are unloading in Raxaul, and cargoes diverted from roadways to railways that are yet to enter the dry port?"

 
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