By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, OCT 28, 2024: UNION Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated a new Passenger Terminal Building and a Maitri Dwar in Petrapole, West Bengal built at a cost of Rs. 487 crore by the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) today. The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Govind Mohan, Union Home Secretary, Dr Rajendra Kumar, Secretary, Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Daljit Singh, Director General, Border Security Force and Aditya Mishra, Chairman of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI).

In his address, Amit Shah said that the inauguration of Integrated Checkpost, Passenger Terminal Buildings, and Maitri Dwar in Petrapole are a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of revitalizing every sector. He mentioned that since becoming Prime Minister in 2014, Modi Ji has initiated numerous new programs in areas like education, health, internal security, border security, and sports, and has lead them to a logical conclusion reaping success in every field.

Union Home Minister said that today the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI) is making a significant contribution to country's development, along with improving relations with neighbours, and facilitating the exchange of language, culture, and literature. He emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the LPAI is working on the mantra of 4 Ps, viz. Prosperity, Peace, Partnership, and Progress.

Shah noted that this new initiative will bring about a significant change in the prosperity of the entire region. He mentioned that this initiative by the LPAI will also help establish peace here, as the lack of a legal framework for movement has led to illegal crossings, which harm peace of India and West Bengal. He stated that peace in West Bengal can only be established when the support for illegal infiltration is stopped and it comes to a complete halt, which will usher in a new era of partnership with neighboring countries.

Amit Shah highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also transformed the concept of the LPAI. He noted that it was previously seen merely as a means of trade, but now it has become a gateway to prosperity and peace, playing a significant role in connecting with neighboring nations, promoting legal trade to curb illegal trade, and contributing to the creation of a prosperous nation. Shah mentioned that this terminal building, built at a cost of approximately Rs 500 crore and covering an area of nearly 60,000 square meters, has the capacity to handle 25,000 passengers daily. He added that this will greatly boost medical and educational tourism. Union Home Minister remarked that this initiative by the LPAI will secure India's borders and create a conducive environment for development.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the Maitri Dwar has been constructed at a cost of Rs 6 crore which will allow smooth passage of transport with handling capacity of over 600 – 700 trucks per day. Home Minister directed officials to ensure the conservation of the local environment by planting 25,000 saplings of such trees having life of 200 years or more. He mentioned that facilities such as automatic number plate recognition, boom barriers, facial recognition machines, and access control for entry and exit have been provided for seamless movement. He added that Petrapole is the largest and busiest land port in South Asia, which enhances our trade and movement. He stated that 70% of the total trade between India and Bangladesh through land routes occurs via Petrapole. He noted that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated this in 2016-17, the trade volume was Rs 18,000 crore, which has increased to Rs 30,500 crore in 2023-24, reflecting a 64% growth.

Shah mentioned that the increase in trade will boost transportation businesses, lead to the establishment of warehouses, and create various employment opportunities, including porters for loading and unloading goods. He added that approximately 24 lakh passengers traveled through Petrapole in 2023-24.

Amit Shah highlighted that the LPAI is opening pathways of friendship for border security, border trade, border connectivity, and connectivity among people in eastern India. He mentioned that the Modi government has not only secured the borders but also linked them to development. Shah noted that the LPAI is advancing Modi Ji's vision of strong infrastructure in border areas. He explained that the LPAI serves as a one-stop solution that encompasses all aspects of immigration, customs, and border security. He added that there are currently 12 land ports being operated in India, including Petrapole, Agartala, Srimanpur Sutarkandi, Sabroom with Bangladesh; Raxaul, Jogbani, Rupaidiha with Nepal; and Attari and Moreh with Pakistan and Myanmar, respectively. Additionally, he mentioned that the Modi government has also worked on the Kartarpur Corridor as a tribute to Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Union Home Minister mentioned that in the year 2023-24, trade worth Rs 71,000 crore was conducted through all these land ports. He mentioned that 23 more land ports are set to be developed in the near future. He added that a comprehensive plan for the complete digitization of the LPAI, aimed at enhancing security through technology and minimizing issues, is almost ready.

Amit Shah stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to the development of Bengal. He mentioned that during the UPA government's 10 years, Bengal received only Rs 2,09,000 crore, whereas Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided Rs 7,74,000 crore in the last 10 years. He noted that corruption eats up the funds send by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to West Bengal. Shah pointed out that under the previous government, Rs 15,000 crore was allocated to Bengal through the MGNREGA scheme, which Modi Ji increased to Rs 54,000 crore over the last 10 years. He emphasized the need to investigate why this money does not reach the beneficiaries of the schemes.

Union Home Minister Shah also compared the funding under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, stating that the UPA government allocated only Rs 5,400 crore in 10 years, while the Modi government has provided Rs 17,000 crore. Similarly, under the housing scheme, the allocation in the previous regime was Rs 4,500 crore, which Modi Ji increased to Rs 50,000 crore. Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, Rs 630 crore was given, while the Modi government raised it to Rs 91,000 crore.