Kathmandu, February 15 Pursuant to a proposal received from the government of Nepal to move towards a modality whereby Nepal-bound cargo can be allowed movement to Nepal without the need for Nepali traders to seek permission and file transit declaration, the Indian government has agreed to introduce a system on a pilot basis using the Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) to facilitate the movement of Nepal transit cargo. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs of India introduced the transshipment procedure using the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, a new procedure facilitating the transport of Nepal-bound transit containers from Kolkata/Haldia port on Friday. This modality has been introduced on a pilot basis on rail route from Kolkata/Haldia to Birgunj via Raxaul LCS and Biratnagar via Bathnaha Railway Station and Jogbani LCS. Similar facility for Nepal-bound transit cargo had been previously introduced on a pilot basis from Visakhapatnam port in August last year. This is a significant step towards automating customs transit facilitation between the two countries and renews the commitment of the Indian government to improve the transit facilities for Nepali trade. Under this new modality, need for Nepali traders to seek permission and file transit declaration will be done away with. The ECTS offers the facility of sealing the containers using high security electronic seals, having tracking functionality embedded in them. Nepali traders will immensely benefit from this new modality as it will ensure safe and secure transit, simplified border formalities reduction in transit time and transaction cost and improved shipment visibility. Under the pilot project the Managed Service Provider selected by the Asian Development Bank, through a global tender, M/s Transecur Telematics Pvt Ltd, will provide ECTS service on payment of transaction-based fees.