Foundation Stone for Petrapole ICP to be Laid

The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram will unveil the foundation stone for the construction of an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Petrapole in West Bengal tomorrow in the presence of the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries. The Home Minister of Bangladesh, Ms Shahara Khatun will also grace the occasion.

2. The setting up of ICPs along India’s international border is a major initiative which the Government of India has taken as part of a Plan scheme with an initial outlay of Rs. 635 crore during the 11th Five Year Plan. The estimated cost of Petrapole ICP Project is Rs. 172 crore. Rs. 93.61 crore has been approved for the civil construction of this ICP. The schedule for the completion of the project is around 17 months. The project is likely to be completed by January, 2013.

3. The Department of Border Management has finalized the Detailed Project Reports for all the 13 ICPs to be initially set up on India’s borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Myanmar.

4. The construction work of ICPs at Attari on the Indo-Pakistan border, Raxaul and Jogbani on the Indo-Nepal border and Agartala on the Indo-Bangladesh border has already started.

8. The salient features of the ICP are a modular design, dedicated lanes for each process, separate gates for traffic across the border, least traffic conflicts, self-evident routes, guide signage and administrative and facility area. Facilities which will be available include:-


· Passenger terminal building
· Internet facility
· Cargo inspection sheds
· Quarantine laboratory
· Banks
· CCTV/PA System
· Parking

Other public utilities


· Currency exchange
· Cargo process building
· Warehouse/Cold storage
· Clearing agent
· Scanners
· Isolation Bay
· Cafeteria