Kathmandu, December 2

The government of China has sent a technical team to Nepal to conduct the necessary study to come up with a detailed design of Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Timure of Rasuwagadhi.

Both the governments had signed a letter of exchange for the construction of ICD Timure, which the Chinese

government has pledged to construct in grant assistance, on April 11.

However, the works related t detailed design and construction were delayed due to the devastating earthquakes of April and May had that also damaged the Rasuwagadhi (Nepal)-Kyirong (China) trade route.

Immediately after maintenance of the road network linked with Nepal, the government of China sent a technical team from the government-owned Architectural Reconnaissance and Design Institute of Tibet Autonomous Region. The team has recently held a meeting with Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB), which oversees the ICDs in the country. Architectural Reconnaissance and Design Institute had conducted initial

feasibility study of the ICD from November to December of 2013.

NITDB Executive Director Laxman Basnet informed that the Chinese side will soon begin the designing works

of ICD Timure. “In the meeting, we’ve urged the team to expedite completion of the project citing the current difficulties facing the country due to disruptions in supply lines at southern border points,” he said.

Once the technical team completes the works related to designs, the government of China will award the contract to construct the ICD from among the bidders showing interest in the project. The ICD will be spread over 6,900 square metres and includeintegrated inspection building, accommodation building, cargo warehouse and parking lot, flood protection levee. Some office equipment and inspection equipment will also be supplied.

China 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.