India, Nepal amending transit treaty to facilitate movement of imported vehicles

India has agreed to Nepal's request for allowing the movement of vehicles imported from a third country into Nepal through four border points by amending the bilateral Treaty of Transit.

Nepal had cited the requirements of additional handling facilities, special carriers and equipment which added to the cost and time of transporting of imported vehicles from Kolkata port into Nepal.

Earlier, such vehicles were allowed to be transported only by railway wagons and trucks or trailers after proper sealing by Indian Customs. There was no provision under Nepal-India Treaty of Transit allowing import of third country motor vehicles transiting India to be moved on their own power.

Under the revised guidelines, movement of vehicles from a third country destined to Nepal will be allowed through Indian territory on their own power, according to an Indian Embassy press release.

The matter was also discussed between the two governments in the third meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission held in Kathmandu on 25-26 July last year.

The movement of vehicles on their own power to Nepal has been allowed through Raxaul-Birgunj, Jogbani-Biratnagar, Sunauli-Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj border points, according to the press release.