Dawki: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today laid the foundation stone of Meghalaya’s first Integrated Check Post (ICP) here in West Jaintia Hills district near the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The ICP, being set up to facilitate bilateral trade, would increase the volume of local business by way of exporting local products, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said, adding Meghalaya would import Bangladeshi goods through it.
“This will eventually enhance the economy of the local people, Meghalaya and the North Eastern Region,” Rijiju said.
Developed by the Land Ports Authority of India, the ICP would be built at an estimated cost of Rs 92.34 crore.
The Union Minister thanked the Meghalaya government for its assurance to provide all assistance to ensure completion of the project by August next year.
Referring to the illegal immigration issue, he said that both India and Bangladesh have their own laws to deal with the problem and strict adherence of the law would be followed to check it.
Meghalaya Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh said Meghalaya would be immensely benefited from the ICP as people would be able to increase the volume of export of limestone and oranges to Bangladesh and import other goods from the neighbouring country.
He said the state government was contemplating to run a bus service between Shillong and Bangladesh.