Patna, Sep 16 (UNI) The Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured to solve all issues of Seemanchal with BJP coming to power in Bihar.
While inaugurating the newly constructed residential premises built at a cost of Rs 27 crore at Jogbani Integrated Check Post of Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) in Araria and virtually inaugurated the newly constructed office buildings of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) of worth Rs 35 crore at Bathnaha on Saturday, Shah referred to various border related issues of the state like infiltration, land grabbing and illegal trade saying that all the problems of the seemanchal can be solved by the Central and State governments together and by adopting with strict measures without the policy of appeasement. All these problems are short-lived, he claimed assuring that they will be solved in the near future, he assured.
His address gave ample indications of early elections in Bihar and formation of BJP government under the leadership of Modi.
Describing Land Ports Authority ( LPA) as a one-step solution to the issues in the bordering areas, Shah said that previous governments never cared about the infrastructure development on border. He said the BJP government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi accorded special emphasis to the areas which transformed significantly. Modi government removed connectivity bottlenecks and taken the welfare schemes to the villages, he said adding that earlier, trade across land borders was nearly impossible, and was mostly illegal whereas now that legal trade has increased.
The government was also concentrating on people-to-people relations with the neighbouring countries which was crucial and have become stronger with the help of LPA, a one-step solution for all such issues.
He said that India shares more than 15,000 kilometers long land border with neighbouring countries which can be used not only to increase trade but also to strengthen cultural, social and trade relations with neighbouring countries.
Speaking about LPAI mission he said that in the next 5-6 years, all the institutions of this LPAI will also work as cultural and commercial ambassadors on the Indian borders with neighbouring countries using modern facilities and technology and create an efficient system for smooth running of transport and trade.
Appreciating the efforts of Sashastra Seema Bal ( SSB), the Minister said along with maintaining security on the border of our two friendly countries, Nepal and Bhutan, also works to increase cultural relations.
Shah said that from the India-China war of 1962 till today, the dedicated soldiers of India’s border security forces have not only secured the borders but also further strengthened the cultural identity of the villages located in the border areas and their connection with India.
Apart from this the border security forces also cooperate in implementation of government’s schemes being run for the poor and underprivileged people.
Speaking about the prospects of LPA, he said that the average business figure of LPAI, spread across an area of about 7,485 square kilometers, is Rs. 10,500 crore and expressed confidence that it will increase further in the coming days with the construction of the remaining three land-posts connected with Nepal.
Union Home Minister said that there has been a lot of progress in our coordination, collaboration, and cooperation with Nepal through the land port. He said that over 7,000 trucks move through the post every day and over 14 percent of the total trade between India and Nepal takes place through this check post of the LPA.
According to him 11 land ports have been developed by the Modi government and 19 land customs stations have also been identified between India and Nepal of which 10 were on Bihar border, which will undoubtedly boost business for the people of the state.
