Nepal-India Treaty of Transit amended

The amendments made to the Nepal-India Treaty of Transit on Tuesday will allow Nepali traders to transport imported automobiles from sea ports via the road network through India.

Earlier, Nepal-bound automobiles were transported from the ports to Nepal only on railway wagons or trucks after receiving clearance from Indian customs.

During the third meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission held on July 25 and 26 in 2014, Nepal had requested that movement of imported vehicles by road be allowed to avoid extra costs for handling facilities, special carriers and equipment and to speed up the process.

The Letter of Exchange (LoE), finalised between the two countries, will now allow movement of vehicles on their own power through Raxaul-Birgunj, Jogbani-Biratnagar, Sunauli-Bhairawa and Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj border points.

According to media reports, Shekhar Golchha, president of the Nepal Automobile Dealers' Association said the decision will help traders save time and reduce the cost of importing automobiles by at least 100,000 Nepali rupees ($982).