March 28: The number of containers arriving at Birgunj Dry Port has increased seven folds in 14 years since the dry port came into operation. In the initial phase, a total of 85 racks of containers carried goods to the dry port. The number now stands at 309 in the first eight months of the current fiscal year. A rack of railway reportedly consists of at least 90 containers

Data provided by the Himalayan Terminal Private Limited, which operates the dry port, shows that the 309 racks dropped 31,118 containers this year. In the last fiscal year, a total of 41,688 containers were brought to Birgunj, according to senior official at the dry port Animesh Kumar.  

In FY 2004/2005 when the dry port came into operation, a total of 5,651 containers were dropped at the port.

Although the number of goods being imported from India and third countries have increased, the infrastructure of the dry port has not been expanded. The dry port is still operating in the same infrastructure built 14 years ago, stated Gopal Kedia, chairman of Birgunj Chambers of Commerce.

Importers have demanded proper management and upgrading of infrastructure arguing that the import has increased significantly.

“The dry port is getting congested. The plan to expand the dry port has not gained pace,” said Kedia.

The government’s initiative to acquire 62 bigha of land between the dry port and the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Birgunj is embroiled in a row over compensation for the land owners.