Land ports Authority of India to be set up to boost trade

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Security today approved in principle the proposal of the Home Ministry to set up the Land Ports Authority of India for overseeing the construction, management and maintenance of integrated check posts at identified entry points on the land borders of the country.

The Home Ministry has identified 13 Integrated Check Posts (ICPs). They are Petrapole, Hilly, Chandrabangha in West Bengal; Moreh in Manipur; Sutarkhandi in Assam; Dawki in Meghalaya; Akhaura in Tripura; Kawarpuchiah in Mizoram; Raxaul, Jogbani in Bihar; Wagah in Punjab; Sunauli and Rupaidiha/Nepalganj Road in Uttar Pradesh.

The total cost of construction of these ICPs is estimated to be Rs.734 crore. Four of these ICPs will be taken up in the first phase at a cost of Rs.342 crore. Detailed project reports of nine ICPs are ready.

The Land Ports Authority will be developed on Public-Private Partnership principle but will be solely responsible for regulatory functions. The construction of ICPs would mean development of terminal and ancillary buildings, parking areas, lay-byes, customs&immigration points, warehouses and cargo complexes, hotels, rest houses, restaurants and other related facilities.

The development of ICPs with modern infrastructure will greatly facilitate increase in trade and traffic on India's land borders with neighbouring countries and also the states and adjoining areas where these are allocated.

UNI RP VD ND2056