Indian companies with manufacturing units in Nepal are running short of critical raw material supplies because of the nearly month-long agitations in the land-locked country.

“Inventories of key raw materials have dwindled to an alarming level,” a top official of a paint company told BusinessLine .

Sources said there has been scant movement of key inputs such as chemicals, pigments, resins, emulsion and tobacco for more than 20 days now.

Subsidiaries of ITC, Hindustan Lever, Dabur, Asian Paints and Berger Paints have manufacturing units in Nepal.

Truck movement Customs officials said some movement of trucks has begun through Jogbani in Bihar. “Some 100 trucks have moved in the past three four days through Jogbani.

But at Raxaul, also on the Bihar-Nepal border, there has been no truck movement since September 24 as, on the no-man’s land across the border, agitators have blocked the road,” said a customs official over phone.

However, industry bodies have chosen to maintain a formal silence on the issue because of its perceived “sensitivity”.

An official of an apex chamber said not only has cargo movement to Nepal been affected, but finished goods from there, produced by Indian companies, have also not been coming for exports to other countries.

Awaiting clearance Meanwhile, logistics industry sources said loaded trucks are awaiting clearance at various land border points. Kolkata Port Trust Chairman RPS Kahlon said there has been piling up of cargoes, including containers, at the port, destined for Nepal. “It is a matter of concern,” he added.

“Our traffic officer has discussed the issue with the Nepal Consul General in Kolkata.

“We have taken up the issue of cargo traffic congestion with Union Shipping Ministry, too. There are signs of easing of pressure as slowly some movement has been taking place this week,” Kahlon further said.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW