DHAKA: India`s second international-standard multi-purpose Integrated Check Post (ICP) and the first along the Bangladesh border opened Sunday to people at Akhaurah.
Bangladesh Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir and Indian Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde inaugurated the check post, built at a cost of Rs74 crore, in the presence of senior officials of the two countries.
"The multi-use ICPs would boost trade and economy between Bangladesh and India`s northeastern states and make available various facilities among the trans-border passengers and traders," an official of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) told IANS.
"Trade and movement of people between Bangladesh and northeastern states are increasing every year and this would further increase by opening of the Akhaurah ICP. This is the first of its kind along the Bangladesh border," the official said.
The Akhaurah land customs station deals with around 4,500 people every month travelling between the two countries.
On an average 150 to 200 visas were issued per day earlier this year, but now it has come down to around 70 to 100 per day due to political turmoil in Bangladesh.
Akhaurah land customs station (LCS) is the second biggest land port along the Indian border after the Benapole-Petrapole check post.
It is one of the most important international trading land ports with an average of 200 trucks loaded with goods entering Tripura every day.
The two-day 9th meeting of the Bangladesh-India Joint Group of Customs, which was held in Dhaka October 21-22, agreed to keep the LCSs at Benapole-Petrapole and Akhaurah (close to Agartala city) operational for seven days a week from January 2014.
Customs and immigration facilities, weigh bridges, security and scanning equipment, currency exchange booths, internet facility, cargo process building, cargo inspection sheds, warehouse and cold storage, health and quarantine facilities, clearing agents, banks, scanners, closed circuit televisions, public address systems, isolation bay, parking, cafeteria, hotels and other public utilities would also be available.
Source: business-standard.com
BDST: 1615 HRS, NOV 17, 2013
SR/MMA/SRS
