Badal bats for export through Wagah

Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today said that Punjab Government has requested the Union Commerce Ministry to allow export of perishable goods to Pakistan and other countries through the Wagah border (Amritsar) by the means of air-conditioned containers. Badal said this would increase the products’ shelf life and put the Punjab products at par with international products.

Speaking at valedictory function of the 10th Agrotech 2012, organised by the CII here today, Badal said the opening up of Wagah Border and giving a dry port status to Wagah by allowing export of 6000 goods could be a game changer for whole northern India as there would be a total paradigm shift with new this new development.

He said that Punjab government has asked Union government to set up an integrated Container Depot at ICP Wagah besides a Food Storage Center there.

He said that during last month alone, 5000 trucks have crossed Wagah, when we were allowing only export of 137 goods. Badal said that he was seeking additional infrastructure at ICP because with the likely approval of export of 6000 goods to Pakistan, next month there was an urgent need to expand the capacity of the Dry Port at Wagah.