PARSA, April 21 -- The imports of automobile through the Birgunj customs and integrated check post dropped sharply in the first nine months of the current fiscal year and its impact has been reflected on the government's revenue collection target.

According to the customs office, automobile imports in terms of value, from the country's major trade route in Birgunj dropped 13 percent to Rs18.73 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. In the same period last year, automobile imports were Rs21.53 billion.

Industry insiders said that increased bank's interest rates and restriction on auto loans may have impacted the imports.

The impact was visible in the overall revenue collection target. The customs revenue collection...