New Delhi, Aug 1 (KNN) In a move which would facilitate smooth transit of goods between India and Bangladesh, both sides have agreed to operate the Petrapole-Benapole Integrated Check Post with effect from today.

The Petrapole-Benapole Integrated Check Post is a major route for India-Bangladesh bilateral trade.

“In order to facilitate movement of cargo across the border, India and Bangladesh have agreed to operate Petrapole-Benapole ICP 24x7, with effect from 01st August 2017,” Ministry of Commerce & Industry has said in a statement.

Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) and Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), the implementing agencies on the Indian side, have issued necessary instructions in this regard.

“The 24x7 operationalization of Petrapole-Benapole ICP is expected to be a significant milestone towards expeditious clearance of cargo and, hence boost the bilateral trade between the two countries,” the statement added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina had in July last year jointly inaugurated the Petrapole Integrated Check Post.

Petrapole ICP is the second ICP on the India-Bangladesh border after the Agartala ICP at the Agartala (India)-Akhaura (Bangladesh) land border. It will also be the biggest land port in South Asia.

More than 50 percent of the India-Bangladesh trade passes through Petrapole. Trade worth more than Rs. 15,000 crores takes place through the Petrapole ICP, which is more than all the other Indian Land Ports and Land Customs Stations put together. Approximately 15 lakh people and 150,000 trucks cross Petrapole-Benapole every year. (KNN Bureau)