Regulator for trade, travel across borders

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

Related Articles

Pranab to hold Chair at G-24 2nd timeIndia makes global moves with trade talks meetObama to unveil trade policy agendaWTO hopeful of progress in Doha talks

New Delhi: Home minister P Chidambaram, on Thursday introduced the Land Ports Authority of India Bill in Lok Sabha, aimed at installing a regulator for development and management of facilities for cross-border movement of passengers and goods at designated points along the international borders of India.

The authority will have a mandate to upgrade 13 land customs stations into integrated check posts. Also, it will monitor the integrated check posts, which will have passenger as well as cargo terminals with customs and immigration facilities along with security and scanning equipment.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has already approved the setting up of the Integrated Check Posts at 13 identified entry points on the land borders of the country at a total cost of Rs 850 crore.

One post will come up on the India-Pakistan border, one on the India-Myanmar border, four on the India-Nepal border and seven on the India-Bangladesh border. Also, additional posts on Bangladesh and Myanmar are being taken up for bilateral agreement.

The construction of the integrated terminals will be implemented in two phases. Phase I will see construction at three points at Petrapole in West Bengal (Bangladesh) border, Moreh in Manipur (Myanmar), Raxaul (Nepal border) and Wagah (Pakistan border).

The construction in phase II will cover the balance nine projects. Of this six will be along India-Bangladesh border at Hili (West Bengal), Chandrabangha (West Bengal), Sutarkhandi (Assam), Dawki (Meghalaya), Akaura (Tripura), Kawarpuchiah (Mizoram) and three on Nepal border at Jobgani (Bihar), Sunauli (UP) and Rupaidiha/Nepalganj (UP).