The responsibility of operating the Chobhar Dry Port in Kathmandu has been entrusted to a private company, Trans Nepal Freight Services. The Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board, which is managing the port, has given the permission to operate the port to Trans Nepal Freight Services through an open competition.

The said company will pay Rs 28.8 million as rent to the government in five years. This project was built with a loan of Rs 1.67 billion from the World Bank.

Since two companies applied for the operation of the port in response to the global tender called by the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board, Trans Nepal Freight Services had quoted a higher price.

Ashish Gajurel, executive director of the Board, said that the company has been selected to operate the dry port for five years for an amount of Rs 28.8 million, with an agreement to share the fees as per the rules.

The Board has been handling the dry port since April 5, 2022.

The management and operation of the dry port has been selected through a competitive system according to the Terminal Leasing Out Regulation 2070 BS, said officials of the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board.

According to the officials of the Board, the operation agreement for five years in a public-private partnership (PPP) model is expected to take place soon.