Kolkata
Eleven New Land Ports Planned as Bengal Takes Centre Stage
The Land Ports Authority of India has identified West Bengal as a priority region for future land port development, citing the strategic importance of the Siliguri Corridor and the state’s borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. Eleven new land ports are planned nationwide over the next three years.
West Bengal will remain at the centre of India’s upcoming border infrastructure expansion plans owing to the strategic importance of the Siliguri Corridor, Chairperson of the Land Ports Authority of India, Jayant Singh, said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the launch of the Land Port Management System (LPMS) ‘Vinimay’, Singh highlighted the significance of West Bengal’s unique geographical position, sharing international borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
“In phase one and in the current phase, Bengal will be our focus because of its important geographical location, having Bangladesh on one side, Bhutan on one side and Nepal on another and we have to secure the Siliguri Corridor. Seeing its sensitivity, we need huge BIM (Border Infrastructure and Management),” Singh said.
The Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck”, is a narrow stretch of land in northern West Bengal that connects the country’s northeastern states with the rest of India. Due to its strategic and security significance, strengthening infrastructure in the region has long been a national priority.
Singh revealed that 15 land ports are currently operational across the country under the LPAI. The authority now plans to develop 11 additional land ports over the next three years to enhance cross-border trade, improve passenger movement, and strengthen border management systems.
The newly launched ‘Vinimay’ Land Port Management System is expected to modernise operations at land ports by streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and enhancing coordination among various stakeholders involved in border trade and transit.
Officials believe that expanding land port infrastructure in West Bengal will not only improve trade connectivity with neighbouring countries but also bolster national security and facilitate economic growth in border regions.
The proposed investments under the Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) framework are expected to strengthen logistics capabilities, support regional commerce, and ensure better management of one of India’s most strategically sensitive zones.
