Construction of dry port gains pace in Dodhara Chandani

Dodhara Chandani (Kanchanpur), June 2: Construction of the dry port has gained momentum in Dodhara Chandani.

Executive Director of Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee, Ashish Gajurel, informed that the dry port construction works are being undertaken at a desired pace. As many as 1,000 trees have been cut down so far in the Mayapuri community forest at Dodhara Chandani municipality-1, he shared.

“Preparations are being placed in a way to proceed with the construction works by completing tree-felling this month, for which India has already selected a construction company”, he shared. It may be noted that a memorandum of understanding was signed between the governments of Nepal and India on 1 June 2023, for the construction of the dry port with financial and technical assistance from the Indian government.

The Indian side has solicited bids for the construction of the port for INR 2.543 billion and has selected a construction company. The construction will begin after the Nepali side vacates the port site and hands it over to the Indian side. The Intermodal Transport Development Committee has indicated that infrastructure will be built on 42.36 hectares of land for the port, including two warehouse buildings, a customs inspection building, a quarantine building, an immigration building, and a security building.

Nepal has already brought into operation a six-lane access road to the dry port and a four-lane concrete bridge over the Mahakali River. India is constructing the access road to the port from its side. The construction of the dry port and the operation of the western border point, it is expected to open avenues for the development of the Sudurpaschim (far-west) region.