The buzz is that the Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal (BBIN) group will formalise the protocol for motor vehicles agreement anytime now.

Theoretically, this can usher in a new era of regional connectivity where vehicles can travel seamlessly across these nations. But, in reality, the lack of border infrastructure is going to slow trade and reduction in trade costs is not going to happen in a hurry. While India has been investing in this direction, the other countries are way behind.

Raxaul-Birgunj ICP Infrastructure development suffers the most on Nepal border.

According to sources, the Land Ports Authority of India expects to commence operations at the ₹200-crore integrated check-post (ICP) at Raxaul-Birgunj this year. The gate accounts for 80 per cent of the $7-billion Nepalese trade, with over 800 trucks crossing the border everyday.

Though at least two years behind schedule, the Indian side of the ICP was ready in June. The Nepal side, , also funded by India, is yet to be completed..

Sources blame the lack of cooperation from the Nepal side and also allege a nexus between the Customs authorities of both countries.

No matching facility Lack of coordination between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which controls the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), and the Ministry of External Affairs has also delayed project implementation. For example, the LPAI expects to complete the construction of the ICP at Jogbani, the second key gate with Nepal, this year. But the infrastructure will remain underutilised due to the absence of matching facility at Biratnagar in Nepal.

Sponsored by the MEA, the Biratnagar ICP project first suffered due to delay in land acquisition by Nepal. After land was available, more than a year ago, project contractor RITES is struggling to start construction.

Cost, time overruns The delay in Biratnagar ICP construction may also slow India’s plan to take the rail head to Biratnagar (similar to Birgunj where trains roll into the Nepalese territory).

The 19-km project to connect Biratnagar with Bathnaha railway station in Araria district of Bihar, first suffered time and cost overruns due to land acquisition delays on the part of the State government.

Now that land is available and tracks are laid, the investment is lying idle due to lack of terminal facility at Biratnagar. The entire project is expected to take at least two years to complete. The issue was discussed at a recent round-table organised by the Delhi Policy Group in the capital.

Petrapole-Benapole Infrastructure inadequacies are taking a toll at India-Bangladesh border at Petrapole in Bengal that accounts for over $2 billion trade annually.

While India recently completed construction of the Petrapole ICP, after years of delay, the facility is underutilised. This is partly due to lack of matching infra at Benapole across the border in Bangladesh. That apart, Bangladesh is yet to lay the connecting road to the Indian ICP. There is also some red-tape at work, with the Customs refusing to clear cargo unless truckers have a token issued by the Trinamool Congress-administered municipality at Bongaon.

State’s apathy According to Indian traders, this delays cargo reaching the gate and there is active rent seeking in the garb of managing traffic. Government sources say the average time for cargo to roll through this gate is three days.

CUTS International, an Indian think-tank, suggested an alternative approach to the gate along the existing railway line. But the State authorities have not shown much interest in the proposal. Equally, there appears to be a reluctance from the officials across the border to speed things up, evident from the apparent silence of traders and government officials at consultative meetings.

Security issues While the integrated border infrastructure is a far cry, the Home Ministry is now gearing up to ring-fence the security risks. Full-body truck scanners, each costing ₹30-35 crore, are slated to be installed at the Indian gates of Attari (with Pakistan), Raxaul (with Nepal) and Petrapole (with Bangladesh) by 2017. Such scanners can detect narcotics, contraband and fissile material in 10 minutes.

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