Nepal’s 2nd ICP at Biratnagar to become operational from Dember 2019

Satish Aditya
Raxaul (East Champaran, Bihar) : Nepal’s second Integrated Check-Ppost (ICP) at Biratnagar is set to become  operational from December, 2019, as the infrastructure in the Nepali side is in final stage of construction, according to Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Board.
The ICP, which is an important facility for trade logistics, is a shared structure on the border point of the two countries. It offers a common platform for traders to get customs clearance for the trade goods from one place. Apart from this, the ICP also offers services including immigration, banking, quarantine, warehouse, litigation, and parking yard under a single roof facilitating both the importers and exporters to minimise their trading costs.
The ICP at Biratnagar-Jogbani is the second ICP along Indo-Nepal border being constructed at an estimated budget of Rs 2.1
billion provided by the Indian government. Nepal’s first ICP at Birgunj-Raxaul border is operational since April 7, 2018. According to Navaraj Dhakal, Executive Director, Nepal Intermodal Trasnsport Devolopment Board, the infrastructure of Biratnagar-Jogbani ICP) in the Nepali side is almost complete and will be ready for full-fledged operation from December.

The government has put ICP construction top priority as it helps ease the movement of traded goods across the border. Nepal and India had reached an agreement in 2005 to build ICPs at border points of Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, and Nepalgunj. India had completed the construction of the necessary infrastructure for the ICP at Jogbani in Araria District in 2016. Under the bilateral agreement, Nepal needs to just provide the required land for the ICPs.