KATHMANDU: A total of 482 vehicles provided by the Government of India under grant assistance have entered Nepal for use in the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.
The vehicles were imported through the Birgunj customs point in multiple batches. According to the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Operations Branch in Birgunj, 482 units had arrived from India as of Sunday, with additional units expected in the coming days.
Officials said India has committed to supplying a total of 538 vehicles. Chief Customs Officer at Birgunj Customs Office, Lalita Gyawali, confirmed that customs clearance for 481 units had been completed by Monday. The vehicles have been imported under duty exemption as part of the grant support.
“These vehicles are being supplied by the Government of India under grant assistance. Customs clearance of 481 units has been completed as of Monday,” Gyawali told MeroAuto. “We have also been informed that 57 more vehicles are yet to arrive.”
The consignment includes Mahindra Scorpio SUVs and Mahindra Bolero utility vehicles. However, the exact breakdown of units by model has not been disclosed.
The formal handover process has already begun. In the first phase, 61 vehicles were officially handed over during a program held at Singha Durbar on January 20.
The vehicles will be used by Nepal Police, the Election Commission, and other government agencies for election-related duties.
The additional fleet is expected to provide operational support at a time when government agencies are facing vehicle shortages. Several government and police vehicles were damaged during the Gen Z protests held in September last year, increasing the need for replacement units ahead of the national polls.
