ICP Nepalgunj to come into operation in two weeks

RANJHA, BANKE: The newly established Integrated Customs Point (ICP) in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City is set to commence operations within the next two weeks.

The facility, located in Nepalgunj transit along the Nepal-India border, was constructed by India and has already been handed over to Nepal. "The customs services will be available from the newly constructed facility in the next 10-15 days," stated Nepalgunj Customs Office Chief Dhruba Raj Bishwakarma.

Once the ICP is operational, the check-pass of containers will be conducted from the facility. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, jointly inaugurated the facility virtually during Dahal's visit to India from May 31 to June 3, 2023.

India handed over the ICP to Nepal on Monday, approximately a year after the inauguration. The customs point spans 87 bigha of land (one bigha is equivalent to 6772.63 sq metres), land that was acquired by the Government of Nepal with the support of India. The facility houses a customs office, livestock and plant quarantine, warehouse, food technology, quality control facility, security barrack, bank counter, and more.

The business community based in Nepalgunj is enthusiastic about the preparations for launching the ICP services. It is expected to provide convenience for them in the trans-border imports and exports business, according to the former President of the Nepalgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Krishna Prasad Shrestha.

By RSS