Sitharaman inspects Srimantapur ICP, jetty along Indo-Bangla border, advises bringing more improvement in facilities

The Srimantapur Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Sepahijala district of Tripura recorded an increasing trend in export-import trade, reflected in custom duty collection, standing at Rs.17.85 crore in 2022-23.

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was on a two day visit to the state, visited the Srimantapur ICP) and the land port station in Sonamura under Sepahijala district on Saturday and inspected various facilities at the ICP and the jetty being constructed on Gomati River located along the India-Bangladesh border.

Official sources said currently, the ICP is witnessing an increasing trend of passenger movement and export-import of commodities. In 2022-23, this ICP recorded 26,405 passengers coming from Bangladesh whereas the number of outgoing passengers was recorded at 25,582.

Sitharaman reached Tripura on Friday to inaugurate GST Bhavan, she also chaired a review meeting of the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) of the Northeastern states in Agartala.

During her visit to the ICP, Sitharaman interacted with the concerned officials on different points of issues related to the ICP, which has built up many improved facilities with a significant number of passenger movement and increasing trade recorded on a daily basis between two countries. To facilitate movement of passengers and trade at the Srimantapur ICP BSF, Customs and Land Port Authority of India are working together. 

On the occasion, Sitharaman also released a booklet, titled, “Connecting Borders" featuring all functional land customs stations in the Northeast region. Officials of different central departments, CBIC, and Land Port Authority of India and state administration were present during her visit. On her arrival at Srimantapur, the Union Finance Minister was given guard of honour by 133rd battalion of BSF.

The Finance Minister also visited the zero point along the Indo-Bangladesh border at pillar number 2083 where Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) received her with a bouquet of flowers.  Sitaraman, when she was Minister of State for the Ministry of Commerce, had inaugurated the Srimantapur land port station on January 6, 2016.

Talking about the activities in Srimantapur ICP, Yogendra Garg, Chief Commissioner of Central GST and Central Excise of North East region said that the on her visit to this ICP, the Union Finance Minister has advised the concerned officials as to how to improve facilities in the station, and she expressed satisfaction over its performance in terms of passenger and trade flow. 

The Finance Minister has expressed satisfaction over its performance and advised the concerned officials about bringing more improvement in the facilities at the station.