Integrated checkpost at Attari to open on Apr 13 Close.

The much-awaited integrated check post at Attari and Wagah border will be inaugurated on April 13, a step which would boost India's exports of vegetables, animals and yarn to Pakistan.

With dedicated passenger and cargo terminals and adequate customs and immigration facilities, traders and officials are hopeful that opening up of the post would boost trade manifold between the countries.

The post would be inaugurated by Home Minister P Chidambaram. Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma will also be present on the occasion.

According to sources, the Pakistan commerce minister and the chief minister of Pakistan's Punjab province would inaugurate their side of the check post.

"The opening of the modern ICP would boost trade manifold between the countries. More and more number of trucks would now cross the borders," Ficci Secretary General Rajiv Kumar said.

Federation of Indian Export Organisations President Rafeeq Ahmed said that traders of both the sides were eagerly waiting for opening up of this post.

"This would be the nodal point. It would reduce transportation time and cost to both exporters and importers. Both the sides will be benefited from this post," he said.

According to an official on an average, 200 trucks laden with Indian merchandise cross the Wagah border daily at present. The post would enable passage 10 times more number of trucks conveniently.

Pakistan has recently notified a list of 137 items which can be imported from India through land route. The list include vegetables as well as animals like buffaloes and cows.

Chidambaram had laid the foundation stone of the project in February 2010. The project was envisaged to boost the trade

and commerce between India and Pakistan is being constructed at a cost of about Rs 150 crore on 130 acres of land acquired by the Punjab government.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com