Construction of India-funded Integrated Check Post begins in Nepalgunj in Western Nepal

Kathmandu, November 12

India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Nepal’s Urban Development Minister Krishna Gopal Shrestha on Thursday collectively witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of the development of an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Nepalgunj in Western Nepal, geared toward bolstering bilateral commerce and people-to-people contact.

Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Nepal’s Minister of State for Urban Development Rambir Manandhar additionally witnessed the digital ceremony together with Ramesh Prasad Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development from Kathmandu.

India is constructing the Integrated Check Posts on both aspect of the Indo-Nepal border to systematise the motion of cross-border cargo vehicles between the 2 international locations by bringing customs and immigration services beneath one roof, based on an announcement issued by the Indian Embassy right here.

The ICP at Nepalgunj, as soon as accomplished, can have export and import cargo dealing with services together with warehousing, refrigerated cargo services, medical, plant and animal quarantine areas, facilities for travellers, CCTV and different safety programs, 24/7 energy backup, waste-water remedy services, and so on. to facilitate clean motion of cargo and passenger automobiles.

The facility is geared toward selling systematic strategy to cargo dealing with and, subsequently, will end in saving of time and lowering total transaction prices for cross-border commerce and commerce, it stated.

ICPs at Birgunj and Biratnagar have been collectively inaugurated and operationalized in April 2018 and January 2020 respectively by the Prime Ministers of the 2 international locations.

The value of the present two-year undertaking is Rs 147.12 crores. The facility will likely be constructed on about 61.5-hectare land recognized by the Nepal Government in Janaki Rural Municipality of Nepalgunj.

An identical facility is being constructed on the Indian aspect in Rupaidiha by the Lands Ports Authority of India and the work on the power began in May this 12 months and over 10 per cent development work has been accomplished.

During the development interval, the ICP Nepalgunj undertaking is predicted to create native employment and enhance native economic system by means of direct and oblique job creation and likewise provide of important uncooked materials and objects from native markets, the assertion stated.

Overall, the power created beneath the undertaking is envisaged to advertise cross-border commerce and financial actions between India and Nepal, it stated.

“In line with ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the Government of India is committed to enhance connectivity with Nepal, including facilitating and promoting border trade and economic activities,” the assertion stated.

Goyal additionally introduced that India will take up the development of a fourth ICP at Bhairahawa in Nepal. Presently, the execution modalities and implementing company for the undertaking are into account.

“The creation of advanced cross-border logistics and infrastructure facilities over the last three years is expected to further boost connectivity and help realize the shared pursuit of stronger and mutually beneficial trade, economic and people-to-people trade ties between India and Nepal,” the assertion added. PTI