Custom office starts central monitoring system for surveillance

KATHMANDU: The Department of Customs (DoC) has started Central Monitoring System for surveillance and monitoring of customs offices across the country.

The department has brought this system in use through CCTV from the central office in Kathmandu.

Currently, monitoring of 14 customs offices has been brought in the system, according to the department. With the help of CCTV cameras, the activity center of the customs can see and give instructions as required.

The custom department has developed Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) for computerized system of keeping data of customs offices across the country. The monitoring system operated by ASYCUDA world system has been implemented in 24 customs offices of the country.

Director General of the Department of Custom, Suman Dahal, said that if any suspicious activity is observed by the monitoring staff, they can immediately call the office staff and inquire. “Organizing customs offices using the latest technology and making it more transparent has always been our priority,” he said.

Dahal said that the quality of various food items can be measured after the establishment of a state-of-the-art laboratory in the department.

In August 2019, the Department of Customs had installed automated systems at 24 border crossings in a bid to speed up customs clearance and control illegal trade.

The government started implementing the computerised customs management system known as ASYCUDA World as part of its customs reform programme.

In 2011, the government began installing the system at major customs points with the support of the Asian Development Bank. In the first phase, the ASYCUDA World system was installed at Mechi, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Krishnanagar, Nepalgunj, Kailali, Birgunj, Gaur and Tribhuvan International Airport customs in 2017-18.