ICP work likely to begin before elections
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 19 2011:
Construction of Integrated Check Post (ICP) on Indo-Myanmar boundary is likely to begin before the elections scheduled early next year.
The Government of India has been planning to build 13 ICPs along its international borders.
The other areas identified for building ICPs include Swanku and Rakaul on Indo-Nepal border, Atari in Punjab along Indo-Pakistan border, one each in Meghalaya and Tripura on Indo-Bangladesh border.
For building these Integrated Check Posts under Border Management division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government has earmarked Rs 635 crores as initial outlay during the 11th Plan period.
On the other hand, the Government of Manipur has already acquired 45.50 acres of land for building ICP at Moreh along Indo-Myanmar border.
Moreover, due compensation has also been paid to the land owners.
Even as the area of 45.50 acres was handed over to Assam Rifles last year, construction work of the ICP has not been taken up till date.
According to the architectural design, the first phase of the Moreh ICP would have pavements, buildings and sheds including internal services, external services, systems and equipment, security wall/fencing and decorative/security gate.
During the second phase, the State Government has been proposing to take up constructing works of immigration department building, local police building including rooms for women squad, Customs preventive building in addition to Customs building, Forest building, Narcotics and Drug Control department building, postal department building, barrack, counter with ATM facility, Telecom building and animal quarantine building.
In connection with the proposed construction of 13 ICPs, Border Management Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs convened a meeting this morning.
Commerce and Industries Principal Secretary O Nabakishore and Planning Department Joint Director Kulkarni represented Manipur at the meeting.
O Nabakihsore informed The Sangai Express that M/ Rites Limited may complete the tender process within the next 15 days and foundation stone of the ICP may be laid before the assembly elections.
He further informed that the components of the ICP proposed by the State Government for the second phase have not been finalised.
The meeting concentrated more on initiating the first phase, conveyed the Principal Secretary.