Kathmandu, December 24

Construction works of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Timure of Rasuwagadhi, which is going to be constructed under Chinese government’s assistance, is expected to start from March next year as survey and design works have been completed.

The Chinese state-owned company, Architectural Reconnaissance and Design Institute of the Tibet Autonomous Region (ARDITAR), has carried out

the survey and detailed design of the ICD in Rasuwagadhi and NITDB has already acquired the land.

“As the ICD is going to be constructed under grant assistance from the government of China, the Chinese government is responsible to award the contract,” according to Laxman Bahadur Basnet, executive director of Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB).

ICD Timure is a turn-key project, which the Chinese government will hand over to NITDB after completion. Chinese government will adjust the cost of construction of ICD in official development assistance (ODA) to Nepal.

The officials of the Embassy of China in Kathmandu have informed during the preliminary discussions that the Chinese government will soon award

the contract for the construction of dry port at the border of Nepal and China. Rasuwagadhi is the only trade route in operation after Tatopani road section of Araniko Highway was ravaged by landslides and sinkholes due to the earthquakes of last year.

The ICD will be spread over 6,900 square metres and include integrated inspection building, accommodation building, cargo warehouse and parking lot, flood protection levee. Some office equipment and inspection equipment will also be supplied.

The Chinese government will bear all the costs involved in the construction of the ICD, excluding the land. The Nepal government had provided 5.5 hectares of land for the construction of the ICD at Timure of Rasuwa district.

Jilong (China) to Rasuwagadhi (Nepal) is a popular trade route with China, which will be linked with China’s railway project in the future.

The Chinese government has already started operating well-equipped customs services, including immigration services from Jilong border. Nepal government has also prioritised upgrading the Syafrubesi-Trishuli road section to boost trade from this route.