Decline in diesel imports via Birgunj affects revenue

KATHMANDU: Diesel imports through Birgunj have decreased by 9.41% during the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the Birgunj Customs Office.

This decline has led to a 15.16% drop in revenue.

During this period in FY 2081/82 BS, Nepal imported 246,719 kilolitres of diesel valued at Rs 21.84 billion. In comparison, the same period last year saw imports worth Rs 30.17 billion.

Chief Customs Administrator Deepak Lamichhane noted that reduced imports of petroleum products, vehicles, and raw materials have impacted revenue collection. While diesel is brought in through the Motihari-Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline, petrol is transported via tankers.

President of the Federation of Contractors’ Association of Nepal (FCAN), Rabi Singh, attributed the drop in diesel imports to the stagnation of the construction sector, which remained inactive until mid-November this year.

“The government must revive the construction industry to boost capital expenditure,” Singh emphasized.

In contrast, petrol imports have increased. In the first four months of the current fiscal year, 142,865 kilolitres of petrol worth Rs 12.42 billion were imported, compared to 129,126 kilolitres worth Rs 13.18 billion in the same period last year.