In a significant move to facilitate smooth cross-border movement of goods and enhance Nepal-India trade, the government of India has officially handed over the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Nepalgunj to the government of Nepal. The handover ceremony took place on Monday, nearly a year after the ICP’s inauguration by the Prime Ministers of Nepal and India.
The Nepalgunj ICP, jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 3, 2023, through virtual means from New Delhi, is designed to streamline cross-border trade and transportation between the two nations. However, the handover process was delayed due to incomplete construction works.
Ashish Gajurel, Executive Director of the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee, revealed that after completing most of the construction work, India responded to widespread pressure and proceeded with the handover. During the ceremony, Gulab Prajapati, General Manager of the Government of India Construction Project Rights Limited, officially transferred the ICP to Bijay Keshar Khanal, Head of the Federal Project Implementation Unit Banke, Government of Nepal.
Following the handover from India, Khanal handed over the ICP to Yuvak Dangol, the Director of the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee. Subsequently, the committee has requested Amit Gupta, the representative of TRS Atlas Logicpat Pvt., to assume operational responsibility for the ICP.
Gupta expressed confidence in bringing the ICP into full operation within 15 days, highlighting the preparations underway to facilitate seamless cross-border trade and transportation.
The construction of the Nepalgunj ICP, spanning an area of 88 bighas along the Nepal-India border, commenced on November 25, 2020, with the support of the Government of India. The project, undertaken by Rajdeep Buildcon Construction Company at an approximate cost of two billion Indian rupees, was officially inaugurated on June 3, 2023.
The ICP is equipped with facilities to accommodate various departments, including customs, immigration, plant and animal quarantine, banking, food technology, quality control offices, as well as barracks for Nepal Police and Armed Police personnel. This state-of-the-art infrastructure aims to streamline cross-border trade procedures, enhance customs facilitation, and foster economic cooperation between Nepal and India.
