The Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) under Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) has offered several sops for movement of more containers to Nepal. At a meeting held recently between G Senthilvel, deputy chairman, HDC and Eaknarayan Aryal, consul general, Nepal, trade bodies in the neighboring country were urged to make use of the concessions being provided.

According to Senthilvel, containers moving by road to Nepal are being allowed 10 free days and those being carried by rail are being allowed 20 free days. In addition to this, concessional box rates for haulage and terminal charges are being offered. "Yet, adequate movement of Nepal-bound container traffic through HDC is not taking place. I would request traders in Nepal to take advantage of the situation and save both cost and time," the deputy chairman said.

Aryal noted the high charges and delay in moving containers from Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and suggested that representatives of Nepal trade explore the options available at HDC. Rathendra Raman, chief general manager, CONCOR, announced that the company has reduced the tariff for movement of containers from Haldia to Birgunj and back. He also offered to carry an additional 60 TEUs from Haldia without levying additional freight.