BIRGUNJ, Feb 11: Preparations are in full swing to bring the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Birgunj into operation.
The Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC) has already started work for arranging electricity and telecommunications services at the ICP through its Birgunj-based division office. The division office has communicated to local offices of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and Nepal Telecom (NT) for the same. It has already authorized the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to build an 11 KVA transmission line to the ICP.
Saroj Kumar Goit, head of the division office, said that nearly 90 percent work of the ICP in the Nepali side has already been completed. According to the division office, remaining works like building sewage line, electrical work, telephone line, wire networking, amongst others, will be completed by KS SoftNet Solution, according to Goit.
Officials of KS SoftNet Solution say that the remaining work will be completed soon.
Subash Chandra Das, the general manager of the company, said that the company aims to complete major construction works by mid-March.
India completed construction of ICP in its territory eight months ago. It came into operation from June 20 last year though some works are still remaining. Nepal felt the pressure to complete construction of ICP after unilaterally started operation ICP in its territory. The Birgunj Customs Office has not been able to start the service from ICP as the construction in Nepali side is yet to complete.
“ICP will help to increase trade relationship between Nepal and India. It is also important for country's economic development,” Om Prakash Sharma, president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said.
Upon completion, the Birgunj Customs Office will shift to the ICP. Similarly, local units of plant and animal quarantine offices, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, food laboratory, financial institution and security agencies, among others will also set up their offices in the ICP.
Construction of ICP in the Nepali side was delayed due to dispute in land acquisition process.
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