Centralised surveillance through ICP on Indo-Nepal border

Raxaul, Nov 26 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today announced to establish four Integrated Check Posts (ICP) on the Indo-Nepal border for centralised surveillance all along.

After reviewing the progress for construction of the ICP in Raxaul of Bihar and at Birganj of Nepal, Mr Mukherjee told mediapersons here that these checkposts were being constructed under mutual agreement of both India and Nepal.

'' Land for both ICP has been acquired, '' he said adding the Nepal government had provided 180 acres of land in Birganj, while the Indian government had acquired 179 acres land in Raxaul to construct the ICPs.

All export and import between India and Nepal would be handled from these ICPs, construction of which would commence in April next year and a target had been fixed to complete the construction work by March 2011.

The entire expenditure on the construction would be incurred by the Union government, informed Mr Mukherjee, saying Rs 120 crore would be spent on the construction of each of the ICP buildings.

The Minister further said the ICP building would be the headquarter of customs and Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB), adding it would be developed as the hub of the security as all other security agencies would operate from there.

He said once the ICPs became functional, they would be important for both External Affairs Minisrty and well as the Defence Ministry.

Two other ICPs would also be constructed all along the borders.

Asked to comment about the bilateral relations with Nepal, Mr Mukherjee said both countries enjoyed ''good'' relations and it would be improved and strengthened further.

Mr Mukherjee was on a three-day tour of Kathmandu and in due course he inspected the progress of the construction of the ICPs along with the senior authorities of the Union government in Raxaul.

UNI XC-RS SJC SKB AS1656