Construction of integrated checkpoint kicks off
India yesterday began construction of an integrated check post (ICP) at Agartala aiming to boost trade with Bangladesh and facilitate trans-border passenger traffic.
Indian Central Home Minister P Chidambaram laid the foundation stone for the ICP in Indian state of Tripura, which borders Bangladesh.
Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar, Bangladesh High Commissioner in New Delhi Tariq Ahmed Karim and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Rajeet Mitter were also present.
The ICP is expected to provide facilities for the effective and efficient discharge of sovereign functions such as security, immigration, customs, quarantine and also providing support facilities for smooth cross-border movement of persons, goods and transport.
The estimated cost of Agartala ICP project, fourth in the series, is Rs 73.50 crore and the project is likely to be completed by July 2012, according to a press release of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India. The Agartala ICP is just two kilometre west of Akhaura in Bangladesh.
The Akhaurah-Agartala check post is one of the most important international trading land ports in North-East India after the Benapole-Petrapole check post, officials said.
India is setting up 13 such ICPs on the borders between India and Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Myanmar. The ICPs are envisaged to overcome the infrastructural bottlenecks at the various entry and exit points on the land borders of the country.
Indian Border Management Secretary AE Ahmed said the ICPs will not only boost trade and business with the neighbouring countries, will also contribute local employment and widen the business opportunities for both sides of the border.
The salient features of the ICP at Agartala are a modular design, dedicated lanes for each process, separate gates for traffic across the border, least traffic conflicts, self-evident routes, guide signage and administrative and facility area.
Facilities which will be available include, passenger terminal building, internet facility, cargo inspection sheds, quarantine laboratory, banks, CCTV/PA system, parking, currency exchange, cargo process building, warehouse/cold storage, clearing agent, scanners, isolation bay, cafeteria and other public utilities.
The PIB press release said that the government of Bangladesh has also been apprised to create similar infrastructure and facilities to bring about proper synergy.
India shares a 4,097 km border with Bangladesh, 3,323 km with Pakistan, 1,751 km with Nepal and 1,643 km with Myanmar.
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