Land Port Authority of India

Oct. 29, 2024

Recently, the Union Minister of Home Affairs inaugurated a new Passenger Terminal Building and a Maitri Dwar in Petrapole, West Bengal built at a cost of Rs. 487 crore by the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI).

About Land Port Authority of India:

  • It is an authority constituted under the Land Ports Authority Act, 2010.
  • It was constituted for development and management of facilities for cross border movement of passengers and goods at designated points along the international borders of India.
  • Mandate:It is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining and managing border infrastructure in India. It manages several Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) all across Borders of India.
  • Composition
    • Chairperson and Members are appointed by the Central Government.
  • Tenure:Both Chairperson and Members have tenure for a period of five years from the date on which he assumes office and till he attains the age of sixty years, whichever is earlier.
  • Functions:It is mandated to develop, sanitize and manage the facilities for cross border movement of passengers and goods at designated points along the international borders of India.
  • Nodal ministry:Ministry of Home Affairs.

Key points about Petrapole

  • Petrapole is the largest land port in South Asia and it is a vital gateway for trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh.
  • It is also the eighth largest international immigration port of India, and facilitates the movement of over 23.5 lakh passengers annually between India and Bangladesh.