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Our Bureau

Kolkata , Feb. 8

THE political developments in Nepal, so far, have not hit the movement of containers between Birgunj ICD (inland clearance depot) located in Nepal and Kolkata port.

However, importers in Nepal are facing difficulties in having their documents delivered on time to the authorities concerned at Kolkata port.

There has been some delay in sending the documents - generally sent by courier - needed for the release of containers at the port.

So far in February one rake from Kolkata port moved into Birgunj ICD. The second one has completed loading and is about to leave for Birgunj.

At this rate, the Container Corporation of India (Concor), the transporter of the boxes between the port and the ICD, hopes to move at least six rakes this month, though it is not sure as yet if full loading of each rake will be possible.

In the first rake that moved this month, 42 TEUs were loaded against the capacity of 70 TEUs. The second rake due to leave the port shortly for the ICD will carry 68 boxes, it is learnt.

In fact, in January, a total of 384 TEUs moved in six rakes, or 64 TEUs each rake on an average, which is less than the full capacity.

One reason for this has been non-availability of containers caused by the tremendous demand in the South-East Asian region in view of the forthcoming Chinese New Year. Fewer containers with imports for Nepal are arriving at Kolkata port than before.

There is another point. Unless political stability returns to Nepal, there is a feeling that the exporters in foreign countries might slow down their exports to the Himalayan Kingdom. This might affect the throughput of the ICD.

Concor, it is learnt, is trying to reduce the transit time between the port and the Birgunj ICD through adoption of various measures. Thus, there is a proposal to undertake carriage and wagon checking of the rake on completion of 6,000 km of travel or roughly on completion of four round trips.

Currently, the examination is undertaken after each round trip and takes a lot of time. The traction change (from electric to diesel) at Garhara in north Bihar also delays the movement and thus pushes up the transit time.

Whether the Railways will allow through movement of a diesel engine on the electrified section is of course another matter.

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