DHAKA: India`s second international-standard multi-use Integrated Check Post (ICP) and the first along the Bangladesh border will be opened to people at Akhaurah in Tripura on November 17, Indian officials said on Friday.

The first such ICP was inaugurated in Attari in Punjab along the Pakistan border by then Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in April of 2012.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde will inaugurate the Akhaurah ICP on November 17, built at a cost of Rs 73.5 crore, a Tripura government official said.

Its foundation stone was laid by Chidambaram in May 2011.

"The multi-purpose ICPs would boost trade with neighbouring countries, besides facilitating trans-border passenger traffic," an official of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) told a news agency.

"Trade between India and Pakistan through ICP at Attari increased a lot after it was opened 18 months ago," the official said.

"Trade and movement of people between Bangladesh and India`s northeastern states would increase by a large extent after the opening of the Akhaurah ICP. This is the first of its kind along the Bangladesh border," he said.

The Akhaurah land customs station deals with around 4,500 people every month travelling between the two countries.

It is the second biggest land port along the Indian border after the Benapole-Petrapole check post in West Bengal.

Source: zeenews
BDST: 1554 HRS, NOV 08, 2013
SR/RIS