Industrialists based in the eastern region have expressed concern over delays in constructing Integrated Check Post (IPC) on the Nepal side of the Jogbani-Biratnagar border, although the Indian side has already completed constructing one.

The industrialists said the delay in constructing the IPC was causing difficulties in importing goods. “As the Indian side has already completed the construction, they might sift the Jogbani customs to the newly-built facility, causing more difficulties in export/import,” said Mukesh Upadhayay, chairman of the association at an interaction on Tuseday.

Participants of the interaction drew attention of Mahipal Singh, assistant commissioner of India’s Jogbani Customs, on the issue. In reply Singh expressed commitment to provide all help to promote bilateral trade between the two countries.

In 2005, Nepal and India signed an accord to build a string of ICPs in Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj. Under the agreement, there will be matching complexes on either side of the border.

The Indian government had pledged to build the ICPs on the Nepal side too, and the Nepal government would just have to provide necessary land. India will be spending Rs1.1 billion for the construction of the infrastructure on the Nepal side.

The ICP on the Indian side will be spread over 70 hectares and will consist of a police post, road, yard, lab and compound wall, among other infrastructure.

Meanwhile, land acquisition and construction of a security base camp and fencing have been completed on the Nepal side. However, the land has not been handed over to the Indian side formally to construct the infrastructure.

The project faced land acquisition problems on the Nepal side for a long time. Presently, 129 bighas of land have been acquired and compensation payments have been distributed to landowners.

The government has already distributed Rs274.5 million in land compensation. Additionally, the government had provided Rs50,000 to each land owner to build toilets.