Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for an integrated check-post (ICP) at the Indo-Bangladesh border in Meghalaya while stating that this will generate employment opportunities and provide a major fillip to the economy of the state.
With an aim to boost bilateral ties, the Rs. 92.34 crore ICP being built by the Land Ports Authority of India is spread over 22 acres, which includes a two-floor cargo terminal building of 2,456 square metres, two-floor passenger terminal building of 4,625 sq metres, warehouse 1,420 sq m and parking 60,000 sq metres.
The ICP would not only create new avenues for jobs and trade, but also enhance the beauty of already-picturesque landscape of the Dawki region.
The Minister of State for Home said although the north-eastern region is geographically isolated from the rest of India, it shares more than 95 percent of its borders with the other neighbouring countries.
Rijiju added that Indians should leverage this position to their advantage by maintaining a cordial relationship with the neighbours and foster bilateral economic ties with them.
He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to transforming the northeast into a developed region, adding the 'Look East Policy' has now become 'Act East Policy'.
The project is targeted to be completed by August 2018.