Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 28 Mar: The efforts of Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj to develop a modern land port at the India–Nepal border in Banbasa (Gudmi area) of Champawat district are now yielding results. The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), in collaboration with the Uttarakhand government, is developing this project. The minister has been actively pursuing it for a long time. Soon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal’s newly elected Prime Minister Balendra Shah will jointly lay the foundation stone.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Satpal Maharaj termed the project a major initiative. He said the modern land port at Banbasa (Gudmi), near the India–Nepal border (Mahendranagar), will act as a new bridge of friendship and strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.
He added that all obstacles in the project are being resolved swiftly to ensure rapid progress. Notably, Maharaj has conducted several site visits to Banbasa and held multiple meetings with officials. He also discussed the project with Nepal’s ambassador. As a result, key formalities have been completed, including environmental clearance, transfer of 84 acres of forest land, and approval of approximately ₹500 crore in the first phase.
The minister further stated that the land port will provide integrated facilities within a single campus, including customs, immigration, security, cargo terminal, passenger terminal, and a health unit. This will create a fast, secure, and efficient system for trade and passenger movement across the border.
He emphasized that the project will benefit farmers and small producers by providing direct access to Nepalese markets, reducing transportation costs, and enabling value addition of products. It will also generate new employment opportunities for local youth.
The land port is expected to significantly boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between India and Nepal, while transforming the economy of the border region and strengthening ties between the two countries.
