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13 integrated check posts along borders

By Spl Correspondent - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

NEW DELHI, Feb 20 � The Department of Border Management has finalised Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for setting up13 Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) on the borders between India and Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan, said Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram.

The setting up of ICPs along India�s international border is a major initiative of Government of India with an initial outlay of Rs.635 crore.

The Union Home Minister inaugurated the Attari Integrated Check Post in Punjab on Saturday, which is the first ICP. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 150 crore.

The ICPs are envisaged to overcome the infrastructure bottlenecks at the various entry and exit points on the land borders of the country. They are expected to provide facilities for the effective and efficient discharge of sovereign functions such as security, immigration, customs, quarantine, while also providing support facilities for smooth cross-border movement of persons, goods and transport.

A Bill has been introduced in Parliament for the establishment of a Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), which has been envisaged as a statutory body for the planning, construction, maintenance and management of these ICPs, said Chidambaram.

This body will be vested with powers on the lines of similar bodies like the Airports Authority of India. Till the LPAI comes into existence, an Empowered Steering Committee has been constituted under the Secretary (Border Management) to undertake the functions that will be ultimately discharged by the LPAI.

Government of India has identified seven check posts along the border in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and West Bengal for setting up ICPs.