Tatopani dry port 65 percent complete

TATOPANI, April 12:Nearly 65 percent construction works of the dry port at Tatopani, which began 15 months ago, has been completed. China´s Beijing Real Estate Group Company has expedited the construction of the dry port.

The dry port is being constructed with support from Chinese government. Construction of the dry port began in December 2012 with a target of completing the project within 2 years and six months. Following the completion of the project, the international-standard dry port is expected to simplify and facilitate trade with China through Tatopani customs.

Sharad Bikram Rana, executive director of Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board (NITDB), told Republica that the project would be constructed by the deadline. “We will set a new standard by completing the project before the deadline,” said Rana, who visited Tatopani for field inspection.

He informed that almost 65 percent works of the construction of the main dry port has already been completed. “Construction of the bridge over the Bhotekoshi River that connects the dry port has also begun. We are really impressed by the Chinese company,” he said.
The Chinese company has already completed the construction of the buildings for customs and other offices. It has also started construction of the go-down, among other infrastructures at the port.

The dry port is being constructed at Larcha of Tatopani with the financial support of Chinese government worth Rs 1.20 billion (86.2 Yuan). The dry port spread over 90 ropanis area is located at a distance of six kilometers from the Tatopani customs. Though the upgrade of the Araniko highway and construction of the dry port were planned to be taken ahead together, the road upgrade works are yet to begin.

China has advised the Nepal government to widen the 6 kilometer long Liping- dry port road to 12 meters. The expansion of the road could not take place due to local obstruction. However, the locals have now agreed to let the road expand by 11 -meter only. Rana said that the road expansion will begin from the third week of April.

The dry port will have customs office, animal and agricultural quarantine, inspection houses, measuring equipment, cargo and litigation warehouses and bank, among others. Then Commerce Secretary Lal Mani Joshi and Yang Houlan, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, had jointly laid the foundation stone of the dry port.

Tatopani Custom, which is among the top ten customs of the country, has been collecting around Rs 4 billion annually in revenues. Sindhupalchowk Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Rajendra Kumar Shrestha said that the dry custom would facilitate trade between Nepal and China.

Source: Republica