Nepali and Indian customs offices on the either side of the Birgunj-Raxaul border point have extended opening hours by an hour a day in a bid to ease traffic congestion on the border.

The customs offices now remain open from 6:00am to 11:00pm. Earlier the offices would close at 10:00pm. “The Indian side approached us with the proposal to extend the opening hours and we accepted it,” said Lok Raj Pant, information officer at Birgunj Customs, adding the decision was implemented from May 30.

Pant said the decision has helped in better traffic management on both the sides. The Nepali side has given priority to clearing bulk raw materials and exportable goods with low risk. He said the customs office has been carrying out customs procedures for goods manufactured by Dabur Nepal and other major exporters at Rajat Jayanti Chowk.

Tula Bhandari, deputy superintendent of police, said the movement of cargo trucks has been easier following the extension of the opening hours of the customs. “As people’s movement remains very limited during night, trucks stuck at border areas can enter Nepal easily and get customs clearance,” he said.