Kolkata

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to inaugurate the new Passenger Terminal Building and Maitri Dwar at the Land Port in Petrapole, West Bengal today. This inauguration marks a key development in India’s infrastructure at the largest land port in South Asia, enhancing cultural and trade ties with Bangladesh, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Petrapole-Benapole border crossing is crucial, handling nearly 70% of India-Bangladesh land-based trade by value and facilitating the movement of over 2.35 million passengers annually. The new terminal, spanning 59,800 square meters, is designed to improve the travel experience, offering facilities such as VIP lounges, a duty-free shop, medical services, and a capacity to handle up to 20,000 passengers daily with integrated immigration, customs, and security services.

Maitri Dwar, a joint cargo gate, will streamline goods transport between India and Bangladesh. It is equipped with advanced systems like automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), facial recognition, and controlled access, facilitating the movement of around 600-700 trucks per day. This modernized infrastructure aims to reduce delays and improve trade efficiency at the Petrapole Land Port, underscoring India’s commitment to strengthening regional connectivity and economic cooperation.