Fruits worth in lakhs gutted in a major fire in Patna

MOTIHARI: The outbreak of acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) in areas in Bihar near the Nepal border has affected vegetable and fruit exports to the neighbouring country from the state. Authorities in Nepal have asked its customs check posts not to allow vehicles and bullock carts laden with vegetables or fruits to enter if the drivers fail to produce quarantine certificates.

Hundreds of trucks loaded with fruits and vegetables are stranded at the customs check post at Birganj awaiting a nod from the customs office for the last six days.

“We are being forced by Nepali customs officials to return to the adjacent town of Raxaul and come next time with quarantine certificates,” said Ramprit Rai, the driver of a stranded truck.

In a bid to salvage their perishable products, truck drivers are also selling vegetables and fruits like mangos and bananas at throwaway prices. Rati Lal, a truck driver from Biharsarif, said his entire consignment of bananas rotted away.

“The Nepal government has enforced the compulsory requirement of quarantine certificates for import of edible products from June 17. Small traders are thus facing problems,” Kumar said.

Mahesh Agrawal, state chief of Sima Jagaran Manch, said food-testing laboratories should be established at customs check posts to give quarantine certificates to small traders.

