Union Home Minister Amit Shah revealed on Saturday that the Indian government has designated ten locations in Bihar to set up Land Customs Stations (LCS) along the international border. This strategic move aims to enhance bilateral trade between India and Nepal. An LCS functions as a facility offering transit, customs, immigration, and cargo handling services for the movement of goods and passengers between neighboring countries.
Shah stated, “The Central government is actively working on establishing a total of 19 Land Customs Stations along the Indo-Nepal border to enhance bilateral trade. Out of these, ten will be established in the state of Bihar.”
These ten Land Customs Stations will be located at Galgalia (Kishanganj district), Bairgania (Sitamarhi), Bhimnagar and Kunauli (Supaul), Jainagar (Madhubani), Valmiki Nagar (West Champaran), and other strategic points.
The announcement was made during Shah’s address at the inauguration of a newly constructed residential complex of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) near the Jogbani Integrated Check Post in Araria district, Bihar.
Shah highlighted the crucial role played by the LPAI in enhancing India’s trade relations with neighboring countries while fostering friendship and cooperation. He emphasized that over 7,000 trucks pass through the Jogbani Integrated Check Post daily, facilitating over 14% of the total trade between India and Nepal.
The Indian government’s approach towards trade with Nepal is based on the principles of “coordination, cooperation, and collaboration,” aiming for further improvements. Shah also virtually inaugurated the residential building complex of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Bihar’s Bathnaha.
In his address, Shah acknowledged the multifaceted role of the SSB in maintaining security along the borders of Nepal and Bhutan, along with promoting cultural ties. He affirmed the Indian government’s commitment to enhancing border infrastructure, bilateral trade, people-to-people connectivity, and village development to strengthen relations with neighboring nations.
Shah also addressed various border-related issues, such as infiltration, land encroachment, and illegal trade, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts by the central and state governments to address these challenges without adopting appeasement policies.
He concluded by underlining the Indian government’s commitment to building robust infrastructure in border areas, providing welfare scheme benefits to border villages, and ensuring that every border village is considered a priority, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.
By PTI
