Customs Yard congested due to unremoved empty containers

BIRGUNJ, August 12: The management of the dry port customs office in Sursiya, Birgunj, has faced challenges due to the prolonged presence of empty containers in the yard. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a build-up of empty containers in the customs yard due to the lack of rotation. The chief customs officer at the dry port, Dhan Bahadur Baruwal, reported that there are currently 1,576 empty containers in the yard, creating space management issues.

"Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, cargo trains left behind empty containers and returned with empty racks. Since then, these accumulated empty containers have remained in place," he said. "Now, cargo containers arrive loaded with goods, but they leave with empty containers, causing a tendency for the previous empty containers to stay as they are." According to the office, there are various items and equipment in 200 containers that need to be auctioned.

 Baruwal stated that cargo trains with empty racks are needed to remove the empty containers. "Cargo trains have the capacity to transport at least 60 containers at a time," he said. "To remove the empty containers here, we need to bring empty racks at least 20 to 30 times."

Baruwal mentioned that discussions are ongoing with the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee and India's Pristine Valley Dry Port to remove the empty containers. Although the dry port customs office appears congested with containers, most of them are empty. "From the outside, the customs yard seems crowded. However, the presence of empty containers is adding to the management issues," he noted.

The dry port, which mainly receives cargo containers from Vishakhapatnam and Kolkata, covers an area of 57 bighas.  It was constructed in 2000 with a loan assistance of Rs 8.2 billion provided by the World Bank loan. An additional Rs 200 million was given by the Indian government to build a rail link from Raxaul to the port.

Currently, the management of the dry port is handled by the Intermodal Transport Development Committee. The Committee and India's Pristine Valley Dry Port have a five-year contract worth Rs 3.33 billion. Pristine provides the committee with an average of Rs 660 million annually for operating and managing the dry port.