Easy security clearance at borders for traders

Kolkata, May 20: Getting security clearance at border areas would no longer be a problem for traders.

Speaking to sources on the sidelines of a seminar on 'Indo-Bangladesh trade', International Road Transport Union (IRU) Deputy Secretary General Umberto De Pretto yesterday said the Transport Internationaux Routiers (TIR) Carnet Convention, set up in 1975 to speed up border trade through roadways, is now planning to step into India.

''If India and Bangladesh sign on the TIR protocol then the delivery of goods will be easier,'' said Mr Pretto.

Managing Director Logistics Plus Private Limited S L Ganapathi said, ''CII has submitted a project report to the Planning Commision asking for introduction of TIR Carnet. We are yet to receive a response from the Centre on the protocol. To ease the border congestion, it is necessary for the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA) to initiate bilateral talks with Bangladesh.'' With the MEA's initiative, the CII expects that Bangladesh would be convinced to sign on the dotted lines, he added.

The growing border trade had necessitated an easy mode of security clearance along the toll plazas.

Speaking to sources, Chairman Amol Sandil and Associates (ASA) Amol J Sandil said, ''Talks are on for using Magnetic Card in the cars and trucks. Such cards will record the number of times the car has crossed a toll plaza and the amount can either be pre-paid or post-paid.'' Elaborating on their initiative, Mr Sandil said, ''Such methods are already operational in the US. In India, talks are on to initiate it on the Delhi-Noida Highway.'' Stressing the need of technology upgradation, Mr Sandil iterated that the government needs to be informed about the technology.

''Delhi and Mumbai have come up with the proposal of introducing magnetic Cards as a substitute to bus tickets. Reduction of manual labour by applying technology is the need of the hour.'' He asserted that TIR protocol can be utilised totally if the Magnatic cards were brought into operation.

He added that days are not far when there would be magnetic Passports and voice machines guiding chauffers their way through the road.

UNI