Satish Sharma
Raxaul: A modern hi-tech integrated check- post (ICP) constructed at Pantoka near Raxaul on Indo-Nepal border at a cost of Rs 120 crore in an area of 250 acre is likely to become operational from June 3. Union home minister Rajnath Singh is likely to inaugurate it.
Vinayak Chandra Gupta , Commissioner, Customs, Patna, said that the tentative date to open this ICP is June 3. This ICP, second of its kind in the country after Atari, was supposed to be completed in 2011 but was delayed. Talking to mediapersons at Raxaul in East Champaran district after inspecting the new ICP, Gupta said that it was ready for operation but the ICP at Birgunj, Nepal, was still under der construction so the cargoes and other goods for Nepal will be checked at Raxaul ICP and will enter Nepal through old customs check post till that check-post is completed. He, however, said the goods imported from Nepal will enter Bihar through old customs check-post for the time being. He discussed the matter at a high level meeting at Raxaul with A K Singh, IG, SSB , R K Singh, Assistant commissioner, customs, senior high officials of Landport authority of India and local administrative and police
officials.
The completion of this ICP was delayed five years due to the farmers agitation seeking clearance of their arrears for the land acquired from them for the construction of the check-post in 2010. According to the engineers of the company involved in the construction of the ICP, the project was completed in June 2015 but there was no road connectivity to the site from Indian side . The NHI28A from Piprakothi to Raxaul ICP is under
construction for the last three years and only recently it has become moterable. The NHI 28A from Laxmipur to Raxaul ICP in 7km has been constructed recently.
The then union home minister P Chidambaram had laid the foundation stone o this ICP at Pantoka in Raxaul on April 14 , 2010, to provide facilities like security , immigration, customs ,and quarantine for smooth cross border movement of foreign goods and transport to Nepal from India.
This ICP is equipped with high power Xray machines , security gadgets, banks , sheds , parkings , 11 roads
for arrival and departure of cargo, to facilitate trade between Indi and Nepal.
countries . `