The newly built dry port at Chobhar will come into operation by mid-April. The Department of Customs has set up all the necessary facilities to operate the dry port.
All the basic infrastructure of the dry port is ready and it is all set to come into operation, according to Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board.
The dry port will have the capacity to accommodate 500 containers, a parking facility for the 300 trucks, warehouses, litigation shed, customs administrative building, banks, and loading and unloading facilities, said Aashish Gajurel, executive director of the board.
The branch office of Nepal Bank has been set up and it will open with the operation of dry port, he said. The government has built the dry port to facilitate trade and traders in Kathamndu valley. The dry port will provide storage and customs clearance services.
Chobhar dry port will be operated in the same modality that is currently being practiced at other customs points. The containers will be dispatched to their respective destinations after finishing the documentation process at other checkpoints, said Gajurel.
Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board is responsible for the construction of infrastructure and a government agency responsible for the operation of the dry port. After being operated by the board, the new facility would be handed over to the private sector through a competitive bidding process, he said.
The infrastructure was built in 220 ropanis of land out of 816 ropanis lands of Himal Cement Factory and will be able to accommodate over 600 containers and 400 goods carriers. There are three warehouses to store cargo.
The project was constructed by the government with Rs 1.70 billion loans from the World Bank.
All the works related to Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) have been completed around Chobhar Ganesh temple and other surrounding areas as per the agreement, Yuvak Dangol project director of the board.
A noise barrier wall has been built around the dry port to prevent noise pollution in the surrounding areas.
