By IANS,
New Delhi : A bill seeking to establish an authority to manage facilities for movement of passengers and goods across India’s borders with four neighbouring countries was introduced in the Rajya Sabha Thursday.
The Land Ports Authority Of India Bill, 2009 will provide for the establishment of the Land Ports Authority for the development and management of facilities for cross-border movement of passengers and goods at designated points along the international borders of India.
Introducing the bill, Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken said the bill will help in enhancing “trade at the border with neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Pakistan”.
Presently there is no single agency to coordinate functioning of various government authorities and service providers in the land customs points, and the bill proposes to establish integrated check posts at entry and exit points on the international land borders of the country.
According to the bill, the Integrated Check Posts will be a “sanitised zone” with dedicated passenger and cargo terminals comprising adequate customs and immigration facilities, security and scanning equipment, health and quarantine facilities, passenger amenities and other facilities.