The Union home ministry on Tuesday said the central government has approved project cost for construction of Integrated Check Post (ICP) and accommodation for staff meant for ICP at Dawki is Rs 115.73 crore.
Informing this in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said that funds are provided as “Grants-in-Aid” to the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), the body for establishment and operation of ICPs.
“Further, funds for a particular project are released by LPAI based on the progress of the project. In the Budget Estimates for the financial year 2021-2022, “Grants-in-aid” of Rs 200.00 crore has been provided to LPAI for creation of capital assets. No separate funds have been budgeted for ICP, Dawki in the financial year 2021-2022,” he said.
Though the tender for construction works had been awarded in 2016, the project got delayed initially due to issues related to construction within 150 yards of the international boundary and later due to delay in grant of statutory permission for tree cutting and hill excavation, he said.
Finally, as the contractor failed to execute the work, the contract was cancelled in January 2019, Rai added.
“After observing all the formalities, a fresh tender has been awarded in November 2020. The construction activities have commenced,” he informed.
Rai said that business transactions of Rs 9560.01 crore took place during the years 2019-2020 through the Dawki border (Rs 975.00 crore import and Rs 8585.01 crore export).