August 24: The Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee has informed that there has been an increase in the number of new vehicles arriving at the Chobhar Dry Port for customs clearance. New vehicles have started arriving at this port for customs clearance from June 29.

According to the committee, 49 vehicles have arrived at the port so far.

Ashish Gajurel, executive director of the committee, informed New Business Age that the arrival of new vehicles has already started.

A total of 44 cars of Sangrila Motors Pvt Ltd and five double-cab pickup vehicles of Jio Automobiles Pvt Ltd have arrived at the port for customs clearance. He said that those vehicles were brought to Chobhar from Birgunj Integrated Check Post.

Gajurel said that they have started facilitating customs clearance of vehicles at the Chobhar Dry Port after discussing the matter with NADA Automobiles Dealers Association of Nepal several times.

He said that the importers will be bringing more vehicles at the dry port in the coming days. In addition, he said, discussions are being held with other businessmen about bringing goods to Chobhar.

The entry fee is free for freight vehicles and new vehicles coming for customs clearance at the dry port customs office. The committee said that the parking and warehouse fees have also been kept at a minimum. According to the committee, 176 containers and 49 vehicles have arrived at the port for customs clearance due to these facilities.

The committee is optimistic that the port will be fully operational soon as there has been a continuous increase in the number of vehicles and containers arriving at this newly-built port.

The Chobhar Dry Port was built with an investment of Rs 1.5 billion. It took three years to complete the construction of the dry port.

It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in March, 2022. The port is spread over an area of 220 ropanis. The dry port can hold 500 containers.

Such a large dry port was constructed in Chobhar to facilitate the import and export of goods to and from Kathmandu, the largest city of the country, as well as reduce congestion at major customs such as Birgunj, and Bhairahawa.