Facelift for Pak border posts

Check posts at the Attari-Wagah border with Pakistan will be upgraded by February, at a cost of Rs 150 crore. This will help the two governments cope with the spurt in trade expected during the year, following Pakistan's grant of Most Favoured Nation status to India.

Senior officers in the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said 200 trucks cross daily to Pakistan and 70-80 arrive from there. They said the number could increase substantially once Pakistan granted the status. “Our job is of a facilitator and to maintain security. We have been asked by the commerce ministry to finish upgrading international check posts by February. There are hurdles in Pakistan granting the status but we hope these will be overcome,” said a senior home ministry officer.

The commerce ministry estimates say total trade between India and Pakistan stands at $2.6 billion for now but this could easily go up to $6 billion by 2014.

Indian traders export cement, sugar, textiles, fruits and vegetables, while river stones and sometimes rice are imported. According to the home ministry plan, these international check posts will be a ‘sanitised zone’, with cargo terminals having personnel from customs and X-ray scanners to check goods.

There will be amenities for people, sheds and service stations.

Senior officials said the Border Security Force (BSF) had been asked to do a detailed report on the number of additional personnel needed.

“Business communities in India and Pakistan are very friendly, especially in Punjab. Traders know each other, so we expect the volume of trade to increase. To estimate the percentage increase is difficult. To have better trading ties, the two sides will need better warehouses, parking places, banks and fuel outlets,” the officer added.

During a recent visit, a team of Pakistani traders and foreign ministry officials, who also called on National Security Advisor (NSA) Shiv Shankar Menon, said customs and immigration infrastructure was inadequate.