The initial construction of a long-awaited dry port has started in Kanchanpur district. Located in Dodhara Chandani Municipality-1, the work officially began on Tuesday with support from both Nepal and India.
During the opening ceremony of the preliminary phase, Ashish Gajurel, Executive Director of the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board, said the dry port will contribute not just to the economic development of Sudurpashchim Province but also to the overall economic growth of Nepal.
According to Gajurel, the tree-cutting process has already been completed, and the Indian construction company has now begun site preparation, wall construction, and supply of materials. He also mentioned that the port will not only facilitate imports from India but can also be used for exports to third countries.
The project is being developed with financial and technical support from the Indian government. It is estimated to cost over 2.54 billion Indian rupees. The dry port will span an area of 42.36 hectares. In the first phase, infrastructure like two warehouses, a customs office, quarantine facility, immigration center, and security buildings will be built across 25.03 hectares.
The project moved forward after the removal of 1,705 trees from the Gaurashankar Community Forest. A formal agreement between Nepal and India was signed on June 1, 2023, clearing the way for construction. The official groundbreaking ceremony will be jointly conducted by the Prime Ministers of both countries.
