April 12: Goods imported from India and third countries have been stockpiled at the Birgunj Dry Port due to the lockdown imposed by the government.

The number of containers entering to the port is as usual. However, due to the lack of custom clearance, the containers are not able to leave the port. According to Animesh Kumar, senior officer of Himalayan Terminal, the company authorized to operate the dry port, the containers are piling up because of the problem is customs clearance.

The number of piled up containers were 2,870 till Saturday. “Birgunj Dry Port is capable to handle 1,542 containers,” said Animesh Kumar. He said that 15 days ago, there were only 1,500 containers at the dry port. The number has become almost double now, he said.

Altogether 23 cargo trains which left from Kolkata and Visakhapatnam are on their way and will arrive at the port by next week. According to Umesh Shrestha, chief of the customs office at the port, the customs clearance of 100 containers is being done every day.

Himalayan Terminal estimates that provided the lockdown extends, the number of containers will reach 4,000 in one week. “The container has been crammed more than the capacity of the port. Overloading more containers might be risky,” said Animesh Kumar.

Normally, 300-350 containers are cleared by the customs office per day. “Reduction of customs clearance has also affected the revenue collection of the customs office,” an official.