India sets road permit office in Biratnagar

Biratnagar, September 23:

India today opened an office in Biratnagar to provide road permits to Nepali vehicles to use

the Indian routes.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu established the Transport Permission Office (TPO) to facilitate vehicular movement disrupted on the East-West Highway because of Saptakoshi floods, officials said.

Prior to this, vehicles willing to use Indian routes had to take road permit from Indian Embassy in Kathmandu or the Birgunj-based Indian Consul General’s office.

With this new arrangement, industrialists and transport entrepreneurs have heaved a sigh of relief.

According to the TPO, a road permit would work for three months from the date of issuance.

Foreign Affairs Minister Upendra Yadav said the new arrangement became possible because of his dialogue with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee. He also said that the government was constructing an alternative route from Phattepur to Sunsari’s Chatara.

He also informed that India was ready to construct a permanent embankment after the end of monsoon. “India is constructing Hulaki Road under the Tarai project and is positive on launching a train service from Jogbani to Raxaul,” he added.

Indian Ambassador to Nepal Rakesh Sood said the TPO would address the problems of business entrepreneurs.