A huge quantity of chemical fertiliser has remained stranded at Tatopani dry port for the last two months amid a supply crunch.

Customs officials say around 735,000 sacks of urea brought by 111 containers through the month of mid-April to mid-May are lying in the Larcha warehouse.

The Silk Group, one of the key players in the China-Nepal trade, had won a tender to import chemical fertiliser from the state-owned Agricultural Inputs Company.

Although the contract was signed during the last fiscal year, the supplier could not import the chemical fertiliser on time, citing many problems.

The Agricultural Inputs Company does not want to receive the fertiliser any longer stating that the supplier crossed the deadline as per the contract agreement.

Dayanand KC, chief of Tatopani Customs Office and dry port, said the entire warehouse has been filled with sacks of chemical fertilisers. “It has been causing difficulties for loading and unloading of other goods,” said KC. “We have informed the company to clear the warehouse.”

There is a provision to confiscate goods if it is not collected within 60 days, he added.

KC said they have heard that a process is underway to clear the dry port of the fertiliser stock.

Tatopani border point, which was opened one-way after a four-year hiatus following the April 2015 earthquakes, was opened for exports in May last year.

Ramesh Sherpa, an official of Silk Group, said since the process has not been completed with the Agricultural Inputs Company, they have been holding further discussions.

"Once the process is completed, the fertiliser will be transported to Kathmandu," Sherpa said.

As fertiliser prices have decreased this year, importers have been requesting the Agricultural Inputs Company to accordingly adjust their prices.

Gokul Subedi, the local leader of Bahrabise Municipality, said due to the irresponsibility of the government and the concerned importer, fertiliser stocks have piled up on the border, while the farmers are suffering.

"Farmers are in trouble due to a lack of fertilisers. This is strange,” said Subedi.