Containers stranded

LUMBINI: Over 1,000 goods-laden containers en route to Nepal from India have been stranded at Belahiya of India, near the Bhairahawa Customs Point, following the prolonged Tarai bandh (shutdown).

The bandh has been enforced by the parties unhappy with the proposals for the new constitution. The bandh since the past 15 days has thrown public life out of gear.

The containers which arrived from various towns in India have been grounded near the second largest customs point of the country, causing losses of millions of rupees to the customs office.

The revenue collection by the Bhairahawa Customs Office which at normal times stood at around Rs 90 million a day, has now decreased to Rs 30 million, as per Bhairahawa Customs Officiating Chief Parbati Raman Dahal.

Normally, motorcycles, marble, clinker and petroleum products are imported to Nepal via the Bhairahawa Customs Office.