BIRGUNJ: The Sirsiya-based Dry Port Customs Office is set to be merged with the Birgunj Customs Office from July 17, as per a recent decision by the federal government.
Currently, the Integrated Check Post (ICP) falls under the jurisdiction of the Birgunj Customs Office, while the Dry Port Customs Office operates independently. The planned merger aims to streamline customs operations under a unified administrative structure.
Chief of the Dry Port Customs Office, Dhan Bahadur Baruwal, confirmed the integration will take place after the end of the current fiscal year.
“Since both offices have separate revenue targets and budget allocations until the end of Asar (mid-July), the merger will be implemented from Shrawan 1,” he said. “We are optimistic as the Organization and Management (O&M) survey and staff postings have already been completed.”
The dry port covers an area of 57 bighas and was constructed with a World Bank loan of Rs 820 million. Additionally, India invested Rs 200 million to build a rail link from Raxaul to the port, allowing direct import of goods via train.
The dry port is managed by the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB). A five-year management contract worth Rs 3.33 billion was signed between NITDB and India’s Pristine Valley Dryport, which is set to expire at the end of this fiscal year.
Meanwhile, the Dry Port Customs Office collected Rs 41.18 billion in revenue during the first ten months of the current fiscal year.
The Integrated Check Post, which spans 115 bighas, is also operated by the private sector under the Birgunj Customs Office. TRS Himalayan Logistic Park Pvt. Ltd. currently manages the ICP under a five-year agreement, for which it pays Rs 1.81 billion to the committee.
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