July 20: In the last fiscal year (2019/20), Nepali importers spent millions of rupees on electronic container tracking system (ECTS) to track their container cargo imported into Nepal using Indian ports and railways.

 However, the importers complain that the service provider despite charging the fees did not provide the container tracking facility to them.

 The GPS-based system is currently being used to track the transshipment of goods imported from the third countries to the Indian ports of Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. Such tracking system came in operation in Kolkata on February 15, 2019 and before that in Visakhapatnam port on August 28, 2018.

 In 2019/20, a total of 108,000 thousand containers were imported to Nepal from third countries. Of the total containers, 59,214 entered Nepal through Birgunj Dry Port by rail.

 Transcure Telematics Pvt Ltd, has been providing the ECTS service. The company charges Rs 3,400 per container to the importers. However, Nepali importers complain that another company working as a middle agent has been charging them to Rs 10,000 for the same service.

 Nepali importers have so far spent at least Rs 320 million for availing the tracking service. However, Nepali entrepreneurs complain that Transcure, despite charging them millions, has not provided the tracking service.

 Importer Suresh Rungta complained that the service provider charges them hefty amount but is not providing the tracking service.

“The charge for this reusable electronic system is exorbitant. On top of that, tracking facility has not been provided to the importers,” claimed industrialist Rungta.