Today, Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and his Nepal counterpart Rt. Hon’ble Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, jointly inaugurated Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Biratnagar. They also witnessed progress of pro-earthquake rebuilding of 50,000 private houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts of Nepal. Both Prime Ministers carried out the inauguration via video-conferencing from the respective capitals. Indian NSA Shri Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Shri Vijay Gokhale and Ambassador of Nepal to India H.E. Mr. Nilambar Acharya attended the inaugurations from New Delhi and Mr Pradeep Gyawali, Foreign Minister, Mr Lekhraja Bhatta, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Supplies of Nepal and Dr Ajay Kumar, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of India, Nepal witnessed the event from Kathmandu.

India and Nepal have agreed to build ICPs along both sides of the border to facilitate two-way trade and movement of people. ICP Birgunj was inaugurated in April 2018 with the aim to facilitate and improve Nepal’s two-way trade with India and third countries.

The work on the newly built ICP Biratnagar started in December 2016 and completed in October 2019. It has been built at a cost of NRs 2.24 billion by Government of India. The ICP puts in place systematically planned, properly inter-connected and efficiently managed border check-posts at the authorized Jogbani-Biratnagar border crossing point between the two countries. It is expected to facilitate movement of traffic and enhance trade between the two countries. The ICP has integrated three main border related functions i.e. customs, immigration & border security and facilitates movement of both passenger and freight between the two countries. Biratnagar is the 3rd largest revenue collecting check post on Nepal side and is expected to reduce the waiting and processing time considerably.

ICP is equipped with all modern facilities like, warehousing facilities including the refrigerated cargo, electronic weighbridges, 100% power backup, fire safety, dedicated communication network and 24×7 monitoring through CCTV & Public Announcement systems. Adequate facilities for quarantine, amenities for drivers, passengers and security personnel have also been created, along with a waste water treatment plant and large scale landscaping and tree plantation to conserve and enhance the environment.

For re-building earthquake-resilient 50,000 private houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, Government of India is contributing US$ 100 million grant and US$ 50 million soft loan. For ensuring that the home-owners rebuild their homes with earthquake resilient features, Government of India has hired the services of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nepal and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, respectively.

Till date, 45,057 households (90.1%) have reconstructed their houses. India has so far reimbursed an amount of NRs 6.96 billion from grant and NRs 3.11 billion from soft loan to Nepal.

Government of India remains committed to continue partnering with the people and Government of Nepal towards its endeavour for ‘Prosperous Nepal and Happy Nepali’.

Kathmandu, Nepal
21 January 2020