Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, has inaugurated essential infrastructure projects in Bihar’s border area, highlighting their importance in bolstering cultural ties with neighboring nations and addressing border-related issues.
Shri Shah inaugurated newly constructed residential premises worth Rs. 27 crore at Jogbani Integrated Check Post of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) in Araria, Bihar. Additionally, he virtually inaugurated office buildings for the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) valued at Rs. 35 crore in Bathnaha.
During his address, the Union Home Minister mentioned that the day marked the death anniversary of Param Vir Chakra awardee Shri Tarapore ji, and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had honored his memory by naming an island in Andaman Nicobar as Tarapore Island. Shri Shah also addressed various border-related issues in Bihar, such as infiltration, land grabbing, and illegal trade. He emphasized the need for both the Central and State governments to collaborate and take stringent measures to resolve these issues without appeasement policies.
Shri Amit Shah highlighted India’s extensive land borders of over 15,000 kilometers with neighboring countries, not only for enhancing trade but also for strengthening cultural, social, and trade relations. He commended Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s efforts to make the Land Ports Authority of India more efficient. He predicted that in the coming 5-6 years, all institutions of the LPAI would serve as cultural and commercial ambassadors along India’s borders with neighboring countries.
The Land Ports Authority of India is India’s first communication center for neighboring countries, aiming to utilize modern facilities and technology to create an efficient system for transport and trade. Shri Shah inaugurated residential housing for security personnel and other personnel in Jogbani, costing Rs. 27 crore, and office premises for SSB in Bathnaha, worth Rs. 35 crore.
He highlighted the contributions of border security forces in strengthening cultural ties in border areas, implementing government schemes for the poor and underprivileged, and conveying messages of humanity during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and floods.
Shri Amit Shah expressed confidence that the average business figure of the Land Ports Authority of India, covering an area of about 7,485 square kilometers, currently at Rs. 10,500 crore, would increase with the completion of the remaining three land posts connected with Nepal. He stressed the progress in coordination and cooperation with Nepal through the land port, with over 7,000 trucks passing through it daily, accounting for over 14 percent of the total trade between India and Nepal.
The Home Minister emphasized that the Modi government has significantly improved infrastructure in border areas, expanded connectivity, and extended welfare schemes to villages. Legal trade has increased, illegal trade has decreased, and people-to-people relations have grown stronger. Shri Shah underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people connections with neighboring countries, with the Land Ports Authority serving as a comprehensive solution for these tasks.
