2.3.1 Major Border Crossing of

Overview Daily Capacity Customs Clearance Other Relevant Information

Aerial view of Border crossing with 1. Immigration Office of kakarbhitta, (2) Mechi Customs Office, (3)

Overview

Kakarbhitta is the eastern terminus of Nepal's east-west at the country's eastern border with District, state, . The neighborhood of is on the other side. It is an open border for Nepali / Indian foot traffic, up to 10,000 people per day. The construction work of 690 meters long open foundation bridge has been completed. The width of the new bridge is 22 meters. Roads are good on both sides of the border. The road to Calcutta is good. Imports from India account for 90% of the traffic at this border crossing. Customs can process up to 150-200 trucks a day.

Kakarbhitta is the 7th largest border crossing point, with 2.72% share of total import value (ref: Dept of Customs, 2019/20).

Border Crossing Location and Contact

Name of Border Mechi Customs Office (Nepal) Crossing Pantanki Land Custom Station (India)

Province or Province 1, District

Nearest Town or Mechi (adjacent) City Bhadrapur (18 km)

Latitude 26.64611

Longitude 88.15777

Managing Immigration Office, Mechi Customs Office Authority/Agency

Customs Office Dhruba Raj Bishwakarma Contact Tel: 023-562004

Mob: 9852662036

Immigration Mr. Ram Prasad Fyual, Immigration Officer Contact Person Mobile no. +977-9852674913 Tel: 023-562054 Fax: 023-563569

Page 1 Travel Times

Nearest Baghdogra, India International Distance: 32 km (Truck: 45 minutes, car: 30 minutes) Airport

Nearest Port Calcutta Port, India Distance: 623 km Truck: 15 hours (trucks must travel by night) Car: 10 hours

Nearest Major Silguri, India Market Distance: 42 km ( truck: 1 hour, car: 45 minutes)

Other Information The market is 10 km from Baghdogra Airport. It is very large–it takes 1 hour to travel from the fringes to the centre of the market. Roads to the markets are good with fuel stations on the route.

Hours of Operation

Mondays Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00

Tuesdays Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00

Wednesdays Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00

Thursdays Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00

Fridays Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00

Saturdays Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00 Note: Closed 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month

Sundays Trucks/Goods: 10:00 – 18:00 Passengers: 06:00 – 22:00 Note: India Border closed Sunday Bangladesh border closed Friday

National Holidays Generally, 3 days during Dashain (Nepal national festival) and up to another 7 days / year at Government’s discretion. Note: Will open 24 / 7 for emergencies

Seasonal Constraints None

Daily Capacity

Maximum trucks: 150-200 / day Daily average: 80-90 trucks / day Operating hours can be extended to 06:00-22:00 for exceptionally high truck traffic if required Average clearing time: 2½ hours / truck There is rarely a backlog. All trucks are cleared daily.

Customs Clearance

For information on Nepal customs, please see the following link: 1.3 Nepal Customs Information.

Other Relevant Information

Foot traffic is mixed with vehicles on the bridge and may present logistics safety issues. The bridge (approx. 400 m) is the only access between border posts and if damaged would present logistical problems. A new bridge is under construction and was inaugurated in January 2019.

For more information on government agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Nepal Government Contact List.

Page 2 Truck parking and shade storage.

Government owned warehouse storage with capacity of 1,395 m2.

Page 3 Mechi bridge and river.

Page 4