January 14: A private company has been selected to operate and manage the Nepalgunj Integrated Checkpoint (ICP), which is in the final stages of construction. Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee has selected TRS Atlas Logipark Pvt Ltd for the operation of the ICP.

The committee called for international tenders on June 26 for the operation of the ICP.

Besides TRS Atlas, Bhatbhateni, Kathmandu and Trans Nepal Freight Services Pvt had submitted proposals to operate the ICP.

Ashish Gajurel, executive director of the committee, informed that they signed an agreement with TRS Atlas Logipark Pvt. Ltd. for the operation of the ICP. As per the agreement, TRS Atlas will operate the ICP for 5 years.

Gajurel said that the construction of the physical infrastructure of the ICP, which is under construction with the financial and technical support of the Government of India, has been completed.

According to him, the water tank, CCTV connection, networking, firefighting system etc are currently being installed at the ICP. The construction of the ICP was started on October 12, 2020.

Gajurel said that the Nepalgunj ICP was built with the aim of making Nepal's international trade more simple, orderly and convenient.

He said that there are eight such ICPs in the country and all of them are being operated by private sector companies selected through competitive bids.

"This has increased the standard of service. The income of the state has also increased," he claimed, adding, "Looking at the international practice, such ports are being operated through the private sector in a public private partnership (PPP) model."