Heavy rainfall in the past two days has severely affected the operation of Sirsiya Dry Port in Birgunj. According to Animesh Kumar, information officer of Himalayan Terminals, the company authorised to operate the dry port, cargo movement at the port was minimal on Monday.

“Due to heavy rainfall on Monday afternoon, only a few people visited the port to clear their goods,” said Kumar. “There was a transaction of only four containers compared to the average daily of 125 to 150 containers.” The rainfall, however, has not damaged the infrastructure of the port or the railway track on the Indian territory.

“Unlike last year, the railway track has managed to avoid being covered flooded with water,” he said. “On Monday, two railway rakes with containers and a rake filled with iron arrived at the dry port, but they were not cleared by the importers.”

The revenue collection on Monday stood at only 30 percent of average daily collection. Normally, the average revenue collection by customs at the dry port stands at Rs100 million daily. On Monday there was collection of only Rs33.3 million. If the revenue collection continues to get affected, the customs office at the port might not meet its monthly target.

In order to meet the revenue target of Rs2.28 billion for the month that ends on mid-July, there should be daily collection Rs100 million, according to Surya Sedhai, chief of custom office at the dry port.   

Sedhai, however, said the situation is improving on Tuesday with more clients visiting the port for clearance.

On Tuesday, three railway rakes of containers, iron and other cargo arrived at the port and number of people visiting for the clearance is picking up, according to him.