Drivers entering the mini dry point in Phuentshogling are unhappy over having to pay entry fee into the dry port. They claimed that the fee is quite high. The mini dry port became operational after the second entry gate was opened for heavy vehicles last month.
Vehicles carrying consignments have to declare goods at the mini dry port near the second entry gate for customs clearance. While entering the dry port, heavy vehicles have to pay Nu 150 and light vehicles and two-wheelers are charged Nu 100 and Nu 50 respectively.
“We don’t think that the government should collect such fees. We are drivers and sometimes we do not have the money to buy ourselves a day’s meal also. Moreover, we do not get loads more often,” said Damcho Wangdi.
But going by what Phuentshogling Thromde said, besides the entry fee the drivers might have to pay additional charges too in the future. As of now, the thromde is running the mini dry port on a pilot basis. Once it becomes fully operational, thromde plans to charge parking and weighing fees too. In addition, the drivers will also be asked to pay for storage, transhipment facility and other equipment, if used.
“The fee being collected is not as per our research. We are doing it according to what the consultant told us. As of now, we are collecting just the developmental charges. As far as our research is concerned development charge is there other countries as well. When we use a better facility, we have to pay a fee for its development too,” said Uttar Kumar Rai, Phuentshogling Thrompon.
The mini dry port was built at a cost of Nu 135 M under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) project to facilitate efficient trade system in the country. It can accommodate more than sixty trucks.
SonamPenjor
