Nepal-India transport talks to begin in New Delhi Monday will sort out the points of disagreements and work towards establishing direct transportation links keeping in view the mutual well-being of both the nations, government officials said.

A news report published by the Nepal Samacharpatra Daily said Sunday quoting Indian officials that it would probably take another one and half years before the dry port at Birgunj constructed two years back comes into operation.

The daily has quoted the Indian officials as saying that goods transported to the dry port will first have to be checked for which a mini dry port is necessary. As works towards constructing the mini dry port is yet to begin, the likelihood of the Birgunj dry port coming into operation this year is unlikely, the Indian officials said.

Nepal is facing a great loss as the Birgunj dry port constructed with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank has not come into operation in the absence of a transport and railway agreement.

The bilateral talks are likely to focus on the operation of direct passenger bus service and the direct transport of goods between destinations in Nepal and India.

A draft has already been formulated regarding establishing direct transport link between the two countries, Nepali officials who are to participate in the talks said.

Efforts were underway between Nepal and India for the last eight years to establish direct transport service. Talks between Nepal and India on railway and transportation were held four months back in Kathmandu. The talks had focused on the draft agreement signed earlier between the two countries. nepalnews.com am Sept 8