Increase in number of cargo vehicles entering Nepal

 Kathmandu December 13-The flow of vehicles laden with essential goods, fuel and industrial raw materials from India to Nepal through most border points, where there aren’t any disturbances, was normal yesterday except Sonauli-Bhairahawa. The major trade route — Raxaul-Birgunj — is still being blocked by the agitating Madhes-based political parties. Birgunj, the lifeline for supply of fuel and other daily essentials to Nepal, has remained blocked since the last three months resulting acute shortage of all materials, including daily essentials.

According to data obtained from various customs points, Indian customs has started dispatching more number of trucks, containers and tankers as compared to the previous days. The flow of vehicles in Biratnagar was like in normal days, with over 200 vehicles dispatched to Nepal from Jogbani Customs Office of India.

According to Krishna Basnet, chief customs officer of Biratnagar Customs Office, the supply of fuel from India has started to increase since the last few days through that route. Reportedly, 23 tankers carrying diesel, nine carrying petrol and nine liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bullets had crossed the border to Nepal by yesterday evening.

According to Nepalgunj Customs Office, a total of 101 trucks, containers and fuel tankers entered Nepal from Rupedia today. Twenty-seven out of the 101 vehicles were fuel tankers.

The Mechi Customs Office of Kakadvitta has also informed that 116 vehicles laden with cargoes were allowed entry into Nepal yesterday. Eight out of the 116 vehicles were laden with third-country cargoes. No fuel tanker entered from Mechi Customs Point yesterday. According to Bhim Adhikari, chief customs officer of Mechi Customs Office, Indian Oil Corporation’s Siliguri Depot dispatches fuel tankers from Monday through Thursday.

However, Bhairahawa Customs Office said that only 50 vehicles entered Nepal by yesterday evening. “None of the fuel tankers were dispatched yesterday,” said Keshab Oli, information officer at Bhairahawa Customs Office.

Even as the number of vehicles laden with daily essentials has started to increase, there is no certainty of regular flow of vehicles, as per customs chiefs of various customs points.