General

An Understanding Of Land Ports Authority Of India

________________________________________________________________________________

This Blog is written by Wafiya Tunnisa from Middlesex University, Dubai. Edited by Naina Agarwal.

________________________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

India is one of the many countries in the world that has a diversified border line i.e it has a varied choice of countries and nations along its borderline. India has more than 15,000 km of external which can be told as international borders with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. There are many approved and designated entry and exit routes and points for the cross-border transport of people, goods, and vehicles.

For the control and coordination of the huge land border like India with respect to the various inter-government functions relating to the security system, immigration, custom, and even the plant and animal quarantine. However, there is just some of the things and duties that are listed out here. And for such functions, the land ports authority of India has been mainly established in different exit and entry points and this authority looks into further details of the land authority in Indian which will be further discussed in the coming up paragraphs.

The Land Ports Authority of India has been proposed and formed as a legislative body to act as a corporate entity under the administrative supervision of the government or Department of Border Management and Ministry of Home Affairs. The LPAI is supposed to have stronger administration and coherent control of entry points/land ports at land boundaries and will have powers on the lines of related bodies such as the Indian Airport Authority and other entities that relate to the transports relating to the border.

FEATURES

The duties of this authority are accompanied by many other entities of the country, from the security system entities like that of the army to tax auditors.

All the below mentioned features and functions are mentioned in the Land Port Authority Act 2010, under Chapter III – Article 11 of the Act.

In specific, the Authority manages and even builds bridges, ports, and ancillary buildings other than regional or states highways, national highways, and railroads at an incorporated checkpoint which are focused and notified by the central government agency.

The Authority might provide and maintain communications of all types, surveillance, and distribution facilities between domestic and foreign border countries; this authority also provides sufficient space for various facilities, such as immigration, customs, surveillance, and tax administrations, to ensure proper cooperation across the field.

Lastly, it can also construct residential areas and buildings for its workers which shows the structure of how work is carried out in a proper order alongside the authority sets up and manages hotels and restaurants, bathrooms, warehouses, and container deportations. Another significant aspect is that the authority can seek guidance and help from higher security authorities like the armed forces, the central paramilitary force, or the state police in order to maintain stability and protection at an integrated checkpoint which can be a very important need for the authority to keep the country’s peace at the place. For the discharging of the duties properly and for other main duties, the land ports authority can look for assistance and coordinate with the customs, immigration, quarantine officials. This particularly mentioned in Article 12 of the Land Port Authority of India act which talks about the responsibilities of other entities and bodies.

In addition, any land required by the authority shall be considered appropriate for a social benefit and public purpose in India. The entity has the right to enter into any arrangement required for the execution of its duties. The bill accounts for the manner in which contracts are performed on part of the authority. This is one kind off plus point that the authority is given in order to get through the duties in a functioned manner.

The Authority can charge such fees and rents as provided for in the Regulations. It shall set up its very own funds where all receipts are credited. It can also set up a contingency fund for both the possibility of raising and expanding existing facilities or building new facilities at every interconnected checkpoint.

In addition, LPAI is committed to providing its ICPs with clean, reliable, and systematic facilities for the transport of freight and passengers. Which includes the security, and safe facility for all who are exposed to the authority.

It is envisaged that the ICPs would have all the facilities necessary for the conduct of sovereign and non-sovereign functions to allow the seamless cross-border movement of persons, vehicles, and goods within an interconnected complex. This will encourage immigration, customs, protection, quarantine between all foreign and state borders.

In order to do so, the infrastructure services to also be established by the ICPs are: – Passenger terminal building, Currency exchange, Telephone, Freight process building, Freight inspection sheds, distribution center/warehouse / Cold storage, Containment laboratory, Clearance agents Banks, CCTV / PA System, Separation or isolation Bay, Storage, Cafeteria, parking, and Other public utilities.

If any difficulty occurs in giving effect to the provisions of law and to the authority from the above-mentioned institutions, the Central Government may, by general or special order released in the Official Gazette, make certain provisions not incompatible with the provisions of this Act as it considers required or suitable for the removal of the challenge. Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of two years from the date of the commencement of this Act.

FACILITIES

LPAI is committed to providing its ICPs with clean, reliable, and systematic facilities for the transport of freight and passengers which mainly focus on a secure and safe aspect for the passengers. The majority of facilities at the ICPs are free of charge, except those intended for exchange which is paid in compliance with the specified tariff rates. At present, there is also no admission charge or user fee for either passengers or the company. For the first time, the ICP will put different facilities such as customs, immigration under one roof and will also offer parking, storage, banking, warehouse, restroom facilities in the form of a state -of -the -art -set up for residents and people of the country.

Facilities for Trade

An adequate capacity for the storing of goods in both warehouses and open yards has been built at the ICPs. Besides manual labor, a variety of automated devices are used for transporting goods which includes loading and unloading of goods.

Adequate parking services, facilities, and large paved roads have been built for the seamless flow of traffic and freight. In-house measuring facilities are provided for trucks. Loading and unloading of goods shall be carried out simultaneously at specified points for various categories of freight.

Special efforts are made through segregation and stacking to maintain quality and hygiene in storing import/export items. Efforts are made through CCTV cameras to avoid pilferage at the warehouses. Unique attempts are made by segregation and stacking to ensure consistency and hygiene in the storage of import/export products. Efforts are made by way of CCTV cameras to prevent pile-up in the warehouses.

Security at the ICPs shall be provided by the respective Border Guards. Convenient and safe resting resources and facilities are available for drivers and refrigerators, except for quality food in cafeterias run at subsidized rates.

Cargo facilities are-parking, weighing facilities, loading/unloading, and packing. Warehouse charges shall be imposed only if the freight is not processed and cleared within the time stipulated.

Similarly, parking fees are charged only for overnight parking of cars. Trade charges are-parking fees, weighting charges, loading/unloading charges, and storage charges. Store and warehouse charges shall be charged only after a free period of time required for the clearance of goods. Likewise, parking fines are charged only for vehicles parked overnight.

Facilities for Passengers

Passengers going through ICPs shall be provided with safe and secure facilities. Both passenger services at the ICP are free of charge. Immigration, customs and banks are all under one roof. Attari ferry services from the zero line to the ICP are also offered free of charge to passengers via dedicated buses.

In addition to safe and clean toilet facilities, RO filtered water and free luggage trolleys are equipped with basic medical facilities for minor care and recovery for sick passengers. The waiting rooms have the capacity to handle a substantial number of passengers and customers.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the land port authority of India has been regarded as one of the most occupied and organized authorities of India, as it is an important entity with respect to foreign relations. And thus the features and facilities are well equipped and look in a proper structure with control and coordination all throughout the authority.