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| Kathmandu, Sunday February 09, 2003 Magh 26, 2059. |
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Nepal-India transport talks begin
Post Report
KATHMANDU, Feb 8 : With
an aim to finalise the bilateral agreement on Trans-border movement of motor vehicles to
regulate cross-border public transportation, Nepal and India began the third round of
joint-secretary level negotiations in the capital today.
High-level government
officials involved in the negotiation informed The Sunday Post that delegations from India
and Nepal today initiated the negotiation by the discussing on various procedural aspects.
The real discussion, however, is expected to start from tomorrow when Indian side presents
its route proposal in the meeting.
The Nepali side, on the
other hand, had already forwarded a similar route proposal some one-and-half-month ago.
Nepal had proposed to establish roadway linkages between Krishnanagar, Kakarbhitta,
Mahendranagar, Dhangadhi, Janakpur, Nepalgunj, Bhairahawa, Birgunj, Biratnagar, Pokhara
and Kathmandu, with major Indian cities.
"In-depth
discussion on the transport regulations is expected to begin from tomorrow after the
Indian side forwards their proposal," said Chhabi Raj Pant, Director General,
Department of Transport Management and the Co-ordinator of the Nepali team.
The new round of
negotiations between Nepal and India is expected to simplify the present hurdles and
differences in the Regulations on Trans-border Movement of Motor Vehicles (RTMMV) between
the two countries.
In the absent of an
effective and simplified transport regulation, Nepali transport entrepreneurs have been
complaining that they are facing grave problems. As per the existing practice, Nepali
vehicles need to submit a bond of Rs 50,000 and insurance papers to Indian embassy to gain
green signal to enter India while the procedures of the Indian vehicles to enter Nepal is
much more simple. Indian vehicles can enter and make their presence at any part of the
country by depositing Rs 300 for 72 hours.
Along with the
negotiations on RTMMV, Nepal and India will also have discussions over the much-delayed
Nepal-India Railways Agreement (NIRA). As per the schedule, the two countries would
discuss Regulations on RTMMV on the first two days of the talks, while talks on NIRA would
be held in the remaining three days. The earlier two rounds of talks on these issues were
held in Kathmandu from April 29 to May 2 and in the Indian capital, New Delhi from
September 9 to 12 last year.
As of now, both sides
have concurred on the technical aspects of the railway operation modality. However, these
are still to come to an understanding on the issue of customs clearance.
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