NITDB urged to modernise infrastructure to facilitate trade

Kathmandu, January 19

Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB) — the government agency that develops, operates and manages Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) — has been suggested to deploy modern technology and capable human resources to deliver effective and efficient service to facilitate international trade.

NITDB, established 20 years ago in a bid to develop, operate and manage the ICDs and ICPs to reduce the cost and time of international trade, has been asked to expand the existing infrastructure to adapt to the increased volume of international trade and execute the initiated projects at the earliest.

At a programme organised by NITDB to mark its annual day today, Commerce Secretary and Chairman of NITDB Naindra Prasad Upadhyay instructed NITDB to execute the projects that have already been initiated stating that robust infrastructure is critical to minimise the cost and time of trade.

NITDB has initiated yard expansion of Bhairahawa and Birgunj dry ports and construction of some other dry ports with the cooperation of bilateral and multilateral development partners. However, there is uncertainty regarding completion of Larcha dry port after the devastating earthquake last year and subsequent powerful aftershocks damaged the structures of Larcha port that was developed to facilitate trade with northern neighbour China. Progress of container freight station at Chobhar of Kathmandu and dry port in Timure of Rasuwagadhi is also moving at a snail’s pace.