BIRGUNJ: Daily imports through the Birgunj Customs Office have increased by around 70 percent following the Bhotekoshi flood, which disrupted operations at the Rasuwa and Tatopani customs points.
Krishna Prasad Mainali, Chief Customs Administrator at the Birgunj Customs Office, said some goods previously imported through the northern border points are now being routed through Birgunj after the two customs posts were blocked by the devastating floods.
“As major festivals such as Dashain, Tihar and Chhath approach, it is normal for imports of goods including clothes, shoes, decorative items, dry fruits and chocolates to increase,” Mainali said. “Imports generally rise during the Dashain season compared to other months, but the pressure on Birgunj has increased this year because the two major northern customs points are blocked.”
According to Mainali, traders have continued importing goods for the festival season despite the disruption at the northern border. Goods ordered for Dashain and other festivals are now being transported through alternative routes.
“If this situation continues for an extended period, customs transactions are likely to increase, and revenue collection could exceed the target,” he said.
Mainali said revenue collection at Birgunj Customs has been encouraging in Bhadra, as some Chinese goods transported by rail have started arriving through the Sirsiya Dry Port under Birgunj Customs. Imports of fuel, vehicles, construction materials, edible oil and other festival-related goods have also continued.
“The increase in import volumes has also improved revenue collection,” Mainali said. “Revenue collection is currently increasing by around 70 percent on a daily basis.”
He said 93.37 percent of the revenue target for Bhadra had been collected as of Wednesday, September 9. The customs office had set a monthly revenue target of Rs 23.52 billion.
According to Mainali, the Birgunj Customs Office has set a revenue collection target of Rs 293 billion for the current fiscal year. Although revenue collection declined somewhat following the Bhotekoshi flood, it has begun to recover as Chinese goods have started entering through Birgunj.
Meanwhile, consumer rights organisations have expressed concern that market prices could rise during the festival season because large cargo vehicles are being forced to use alternative routes, while goods that would normally be transported in a single container may have to be transferred into three vehicles.
They have warned that traders could use the disaster and increased transportation costs as an excuse to raise prices arbitrarily. Consumer organisations have called for stronger market monitoring and urged consumers to remain vigilant.
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