NADA President, DPM, and Home Minister discussed tightening and regulating Nepal’s borders

KATHMANDU: A delegation led by NADA President Karan Chaudhary met with the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha on Jan 30 and discussed various issues.

In the meeting and discussion, President Chaudhary Chaudhary urges for a restriction of 24-hour entry and a maximum 16 km operational radius for Indian cargo vehicles in Nepal, citing a significant impact on the business of Nepalese cargo carriers.

During the discussion, NADA General Secretary Surendra Kumar stated that due to Nepal’s open border with India, considerable quantities of lubricants, tires, and car spare parts are illegally imported from India.

This has significantly impacted Nepal’s lubricants and tyre tube industries on one side, while on the other, unauthorized imports of these items have made it challenging for official traders in Nepal, urging the need for stringent border control and organized regulation to address the situation, with the potential to boost substantial revenue for the country.

During the meeting, officials and NADA members provided information regarding the different issues that were occurring at the checkpoint.

At the end of the discussion, Hon’ble Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Shrestha stated that the previous 24-hour time period has been extended to 72 hours and that the government will take the necessary steps to resolve such issues, while remaining deeply concerned about the problems occurring at border crossings.

NADA Institutional Vice Chair Pushkar Ojha, Treasurer Milanbabu Malla, Co-Treasurer Pankaj Agarwal, Central Working Committee Members Riddhi Karki, Narayan Prasad Paudel and Association Secretary Surendra Pradhan were also present in the discussion.