Kathmandu, January 26
The Department of Customs is planning to install sophisticated scanners in major customs throughout the country. The government of China is providing assistance for this project. Installation of scanners at customs points will enable authorities to scan container trucks.
The process of installing scanners is picking up pace after the recent arrest of mules with 34 kg of gold at Tribhuvan International Airport. The ongoing investiation into the smuggling incident has also found fault with some TIA customs staff. Weak security checks at airports and customs points have caused a surge in smuggling of goods.
Shishir Kumar Dhungana, director-general at the department, said they will also bring into use two China-gifted scanner machines, which have been lying idle. With Chinese assistance, Customs authorities will install scanner machines in Rasuwagadhi, Birgunj, Biratnagar and Mechi customs. These machines will scan goods inside scanners. If they detect illegal consignments inside, they impound the containers, making way for further action.
We had not operated those machines due to erratic power supply, Dhungana said, promising to use the machines that had fallen into disuse. Of the two machines China gifted 11 years ago, one has been lying idle at Birgunj dry port. The other has fallen into disuse at TRA. At that time, the two machines were worth around Rs 400 million. At that time, the department had not shown interest in bringing those machines into use.
Meanwhile, the department has also expedited the proess of installing a new machine at TIA for whole body checkup. It has already invited tender for the same.
Installing the body checkup machine will cost Rs 110 million.
