NEW DELHI, Nov 13: Piyush Goyal the Minister of Commerce and Industry and Krishna Gopal Shrestha, Minister of Urban Development, Nepal, virtually attended a ground breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the construction of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Nepalgunj.
The event was also, attended by Vinay Mohan Kwatra the Indian Ambassador to Nepal along with Secretary and the Minister of State for Urban Development, Nepal.
Government of India is building ICP on either side of the Indo-Nepal border to systematise the movement of cross-border freight trucks between the two countries by placing customs and immigration facilities under one roof.
The Embassy of India in Kathmandu in a statement said the project was being set up on a 61.5 hectares land in Janaki Rural Municipality ward, Nepal and Rupaidiha, India. It would be implemented at a cost of Rs 147.12 crore and was expected to be completed in two years.
After completion, export & import cargo handling facilities will be provided and cost-effective, smooth transportation of freight and passenger vehicles will be encouraged. Over the construction phase, local jobs will be, created, and the local economy will be improved by the creation of both direct and indirect jobs.
India and Nepal already have begun work in two ICPs in Birgunj and Biratnagar, Nepal. Goyal also declared that India would finance the building of the fourth ICP at Bhairahawa the execution modalities and implementing agency projects are under consideration.
In line with the ‘Neighbourhood First’ approach, the Government of India is committed to enhancing communication with Nepal, including facilitating and encouraging border trade and economic activities. The construction of advanced cross-border logistics and infrastructure facilities over the last three years is expected to further strengthen connectivity and help achieve the joint pursuit of deep and mutually beneficial trade links between India and Nepal.
(Venkatesh Iyer)