West Bengal Govt Not Allotting Land For Check Posts At Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh Border: Home Ministry Report

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has pointed out that the West Bengal government has yet to initiate the land acquisition process for seven Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) intended to facilitate the seamless movement of goods and passengers across the borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.

As outlined in the MHA's annual report for 2022-23, a total of 14 locations along India's borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan have been designated by the central government for the establishment of these ICPs.

The identified locations include Rupaidiha and Sonauli in Uttar Pradesh, Banbasa in Uttarakhand, Bhithamore in Bihar, and Panitanki in West Bengal along the border with Nepal, as well as Jaigaon in West Bengal along the border with Bhutan.

Other proposed ICPs are situated along the border with Bangladesh, specifically at Dawki in Meghalaya, Kawrpuichhuah in Mizoram, Sabroom in Tripura, and Fulbari, Mahadipur, Ghojadanga, Hili, and Changrabandha, all in West Bengal.

The operation of these ICPs falls under the purview of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), an organisation under the administrative jurisdiction of the MHA. These ICPs are expected to enhance security along international borders and foster improved bilateral trade and relations with neighboring countries.

The annual report notes, "The Detailed Project Report for 7 ICPs in West Bengal has been prepared and submitted to the state government on February 7, 2022. Locations have been identified for all ICPs. The state government has yet not initiated land acquisition for these locations. The LPAI is coordinating regularly with state government authorities for expediting land acquisition."

Officials have reported significant progress in the construction work, including 93 per cent completion at ICP Rupaidiha, the transfer of 106.54 acres of land for ICP Sonauli, and 87.5 per cent completion at ICP Dawki.

The location for ICP Banbasa has been finalised on the India-Nepal side, with operationalisation proposed for 2026.

For the development of ICP at Bhithamore, the state government has received payment for the land, totaling Rs 97.81 crore. The total area identified for establishing the ICP is 26.42 acres.

In the case of ICP Kawrpuichhuah, the state government has already transferred the leased land of 21.50 acres in favor of the LPAI.

Additionally, the state government has been requested to identify and transfer an additional 30-40 acres of land adjoining the existing available land, as mentioned in the report.