Nepal,India agree to complete ICP in Birgunj by March

Nepal and India on Friday agreed to complete outstanding works on the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Birgunj within three months and bring it into operation quickly. “Both sides reviewed the current status of the ICPs and decided to complete the remaining work at Brigunj by March 2017,” the Foreign ministry s Joint-secretary and Chief of South Asia Division, Bhrigu Dhungana, said.

According to Dhungana, 80 per cent work has already been completed in Birjung and the required land area has been handed over to the concerned contractor for ICP construction in Biratnagar.

The construction in Biratnagar ICP is expected to be completed by December 2018.

Urban Development Secretary Dipendra Nath Sharma had led the Nepali delegation while the Indian side was led by Sanjeevanee Kutty, secretary of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs.

In 2005, Nepal and India signed an accord to build a string of near the border at Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairawa and Nepalgunj.

In the first phase, ICPs were to be built in Birgunj of Nepal and Raxaul of India, and Biratnagar of Nepal and Jogbani of India. The Indian side has already completed the ICPs in Raxual and Jogbani and the ICP of Raxual was already come into operation, while will be operational at Jogbani soon.

Meanwhile, the Nepali side has urged the Indian side to operationalize ICPs at both sides of border Raxual and Birgunj simultaneously.

The Indian side has reportedly said that they have so far operationalised the ICP for only importing and exporting perishable goods such as vegetables and were of the view that this operation has only put pressure on the Nepali side to complete the remaining work at the ICP in Birgunj soon.

In the second phase, ICPs will be constructed in Bhairahawa of Nepal and Nautanwa of India; and Nepalgunj of Nepal and Rupadiya of India.