Nepalgunj-based ICP to come into operation by two weeks

Ranjha (Banke), April 23: The newly established Integrated Customs Point (ICP) in Nepalgunj is to come into operation within the next two weeks. 

India built the facility located in Nepalgunj transit along the Nepal-India border and it has already been handed to Nepal. "The customs services will be available from the newly constructed facility in the next 10-15 days," said Nepalgunj Customs Office Chief Dhruba Raj Bishwakarma.

Once the ICP comes into operation, the check-pass of containers will be conducted from the facility. 

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the facility virtually during  Dahal's visit to India (May 31- June 3, 2023). 

India handed it to Nepal on Monday around after one year of the inauguration. It has been spread to 87 bigha of land (one bigha is equivalent to 6772.63 sq. metres) and the land acquired by the Government of Nepal in support of India.  It avails customs office, livestock and plant quarantine, warehouse, food technology, quality control facility, security barrack, bank counter, and so on.  

The Nepalgunj-based business community is excited about the preparations for launching the ICP services. It is expected to be convenient for them in the trans-border imports and exports business, according to the Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President Krishna Prasad Shrestha. (RSS)