Bilateral trade and passenger traffic movement between the two countries takes place predominantly through these border points.
In response to a request by the Government of Nepal, India agreed to provide full technical and financial assistance for the new infrastructure to be established on the Nepalese side, the statement said.
The major transit points will have state-of-the-art infrastructure, facilitating integrated customs and immigration for smooth cross-border movement of people and goods.
Given that two-thirds of the total trade between Nepal and India takes place through the Raxaul-Birgunj border point, the meeting decided to establish the integrated check-posts at Raxaul and Birgunj under Phase-I of the project, it said. The remaining three border points will be taken up under Phase-II.
A bilateral Project Steering Committee co-chaired by the Secretary (Physical Planning & Works), Government of Nepal and the Secretary (Border Management), Government of India, has been set up for coordination and speedy implementation of the project.
The meeting also approved the detailed engineering report for the check-posts at Raxaul and Birgunj. The work on the Nepal side will cost approximately Rs. 2 billion and on the Indian side, approximately Rs. 1.92 billion. India has agreed to fund the development of infrastructure on the Nepal side also. The project will be completed in 20 months, the embassy said.
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