Kolkata, Aug 27 (Calcutta Tube / IBNS) Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday said India’s bilateral trade with Bangladesh is likely to double in coming years.

 Chidambaram unveiled the foundation stone for the construction of an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Petrapole in the neighboring North 24-Paragans district in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries.

Bangladesh Home Minister Shahara Khatun also graced the event along with the Home Secretary of her nation.

Chidambaram, in his address delivered at the foundation stone laying ceremony, said the current volume of Rs. 10,000 Crore bilateral trade with Bangladesh needed to be enhanced substantially and  would soon reach to Rs. 20,000 Crore.

Hence, the dry port terminal facilities along the Indo-Bangladesh boarder were being improved with seven proposed ICPs having all modern facilities and passenger amenities, he said.

The Petrapole ICP terminal would be ready in 17 month’s target time and inaugurated in presence of the visiting Bangladeshi Minister and Banerjee, said Chidambaram.

 Banerjee, on this occasion, welcomed the Home Minister of Bangladesh and her delegation.

The eastern neighbouring nation-sharing the same language, heritage and cultural values with West Bengal-was always special for India, especially for the people of West Bengal, she said and lauded the launching of ICP terminal project at Petrapole.

The Bangladesh Home Minister assured that her nation would take up similar measures to boost bilateral trade and other relations.

Mukul Roy, Union Minister of State for Shipping, Anwar Ahmed, Secretary, Border Management, Government of India, Samar Ghosh, Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal, Special DG-BSF and his BDR counterpart, among others, also attended the event.

The setting up of ICPs along India’s international border is a major initiative which the Government of India has taken as part of a Plan scheme with an initial outlay of Rs. 635 crore during the 11th Five Year Plan.

 The estimated cost of Petrapole ICP Project is Rs. 172 crore. Rs. 93.61 crore has been approved for the civil construction of this ICP. The project is likely to be completed by January, 2013.

The Department of Border Management has finalized the Detailed Project Reports for 13 ICPs to be initially set up on India’s borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Myanmar.

Each of the ICP would have a modular design, dedicated lanes for each process, separate gates for traffic across the border, least traffic conflicts, self-evident routes, guide signage and administrative and facility area.

 Facilities which will be available in these ICPs include Passenger terminal building, Internet  facility, Cargo inspection sheds, Quarantine laboratory,  Banks,  CCTV/PA System, Parking, Other public utilities, Currency exchange, Cargo process building, Warehouse/Cold storage, Clearing agent, Scanners, Isolation Bay, and Cafeteria.

The construction work of ICPs at Attari on the Indo-Pakistan border, Raxaul and  Jogbani on the Indo-Nepal border and Agartala on the Indo-Bangladesh border has already started.