Birgunj, December 14:

An official here said that Nepal can import goods by open wagon from various Indian cities by the end of December.

“The import by open wagon will start immediately after the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies approves the proposal of open wagon operation, chief executive officer B Mohan said of Himalayan Terminals said.

Nepali and Indian governments had agreed on operating open wagons two years ago.

However, the agreement has not been implemented till date due to confusion in implementation process and lack of infrastructures.

“If goods could be imported to Nepal by open wagons, Sirsiya port could be of more use,” he added.

The import of cast-iron, salt, clinker, gypsum and coal to Nepal have increased in quantity, however, these things have not been imported through Sirsiya port yet. Goods imported to Nepal by open wagons will be brought to Raxaul and they will be sent to Birgunj through road transport.

The Indian Department of Customs had directed Raxaul Customs to start open wagon operations a few month back, however, officials at Raxaul Customs informed the Department of Customs that open wagons could not be brought to Sirsiya port due to the lack of physical structure and manpower.

Meanwhile, the government has already approved proposed agreement of CONCOR India — one of the key shareholders of Himalayan Terminals — to take the port on lease.

Chairman of CONCOR India, Haridas Gujrati, said that they are going through the proposal approved by the Nepal government. “We hope that the proposal will be sent back to Nepal soon,” an official of Himalayan Terminals said.

The proposal — that will be valid for three years — has been planned to sign by both Nepal and India within this month.