Amit Shah will inaugurate the ‘Maitri Dwar’ Passenger Terminal at Petrapole Port tomorrow

A new passenger terminal building and ‘Maitri Dwar’ (Friendship Gate) for cargo movement will be inaugurated tomorrow by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah at South Asia’s largest land port Petrapole on the Benapole border in Bangladesh.

The land port at Petrapole, which sees nearly 600-700 trucks daily, is a vital gateway for trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh. The Petrapole-Benapole crossing is one of the most important land border points for India-Bangladesh relations, facilitating both trade and passenger movement.

Almost 70 percent of land trade (by value) between the two nations passes through this port, reports our correspondent in New Delhi.

Petrapole Land Port is also the eighth largest international immigration port in India, handling the movement of over 23.5 lakh passengers annually between India and Bangladesh.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs described the new passenger terminal building at Petrapole, which can accommodate 20,000 passengers per day, as “a significant addition to the region’s infrastructure aimed at improving the travel experience between India and Bangladesh”.

The new facility will integrate immigration, customs and security services under one roof in a built-up area of ​​59,800 square meters and will feature automated entry and exit systems with flap barrier integration.

Built with robust construction and equipped with advanced technological systems, the terminal building promises safety, efficiency and comfort for all users, according to the ministry.

Designed to reflect the grandeur of international transport hubs, Petrapole’s passenger terminal building is equipped with modern facilities including VIP lounges, a duty-free shop, a basic medical facility, an infant and baby feeding room and convenience stores. food and drinks.

The ambitious project is expected to set new standards for infrastructure and services, improving the travel experience between India and Bangladesh and positioning it as a key hub in Asia, the Home Ministry said.

Maitri Dwar is a common cargo gate at zero line agreed by both countries to facilitate movement of goods. Shah laid the foundation stone for this gate on May 9, 2023.

Maitri Dwar is expected to significantly speed up the clearance and clearance of goods at the border, enhancing trade efficiency. It is equipped with modern facilities, including boom barriers, facial recognition cameras and access-controlled entry and exit points for trucks from India and Bangladesh, according to the home ministry.