Transport entrepreneurs, industrialists fix shipment charges from Birgunj

BIRGUNJ, Dec 26:

Transport entrepreneurs and industrialists have jointly fixed rates for transporting goods using freight trucks from Birgunj Customs Office to different parts of the country.

A meeting of organizations of transport entrepreneurs, industrialists and traders held on Thursday took the decision.

Ashok Kumar Baidya, president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), said the meeting took the decision to end the recurring shortage of freight trucks and arbitrary fixation of transportation costs. "The meeting was held to overcome the confusion on transportation cost so that shipments can be made at unvarying rates," Baidya said.

Gokarna Parajuli, president of Narayani Transportation Entrepreneurs Association, and Omkrishna Karki, president of Tarai Transportation Entrepreneurs Association (TTEA), along with BCCI officials were present in the meeting.

Industrialists and transport entrepreneurs have defended their decision, saying that they were not imposing a syndicate.

As per the agreement, transport entrepreneurs will charge anywhere between Rs 21,000 to Rs 23,000 to transport goods to Kathmandu from the customs point. Similarly, they will charge between Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 for shipment to Narayanghat. They have also fixed transportation cost to Pokhara (Rs 20,000 to Rs 22,000), Kushma/Beni (Rs 24,000 to Rs 26,000) and Hetauda (Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000).

The meeting also decided to resolve problems through joint talks.

According to BCCI officials, they will sit for another meeting next week to resolve problems in the implementation of the decision.

Source: Republica