Banbasa land port to strengthen India-Nepal ties, boost State’s economy: Dhami
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that the land port at Banbasa in Champawat district will help in promoting cooperation, trade and development in the border areas between India and Nepal. The project will further strengthen India-Nepal relations, boosting tourism, cultural exchange and mutual cooperation. The CM conducted a site inspection of the land port project to be constructed at a cost of Rs 500 crore by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) at the Gudmi village of Banbasa on Friday.
He said that the LPAI, a subsidiary of the government of India is rapidly advancing this ambitious project with the support of the Uttarakhand government. The CM averred that all the formalities for environmental clearance, compensatory plantation and land transfer have been completed since the project’s inception. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has received final approval for transfer of approximately 84 acres of forest land for the project.
He said that the modern land port will develop an integrated, convenient and secure system for trade and passenger movement between India and Nepal. All major agencies related to customs, security, trade and border will operate within a single complex, making border management more expeditious and transparent.
The CM added that the project will also transform the economic landscape of the border areas. He said that the strategically located Banbasa Land Port will also strengthen cross-border trade, create a formal gateway for agricultural and industrial products and generate new employment opportunities for local youth.
He said that the land port will provide farmers and small producers’ direct access to cross-border markets, reducing transportation costs and enabling value addition to their products.
Dhami said that the project is in sync with the Government of India’s vision of regional integration and its policy of safe and sustainable border development. He requested the GOI, LPAI and all agencies involved in the project to expedite construction of the port.
