Bettiah: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepal counterpart Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli on Saturday inaugurated the Birgunj-based Integrated Check Post (ICP) by pressing a switch in New Delhi.

A huge crowd witnessed the programme at Birgunj in Nepal through video-conferencing from Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The operation was overdue after the two countries inked a deal in 2005 for four ICPs at Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj.

Speaking on the occasion, LB Basnet, executive director, ICP Nepal, hoped the ICP would ease import and export of goods to and from Nepal, India and other countries. "We are confident the cost of trade between India, Nepal and other countries will decrease," Basnet said in Birgunj.

India has spent around Rs 86 crore on building infrastructure in Birgunj. The ICP consists of 22 buildings. Eyewitnesses said Raxual in East Champaran wore a festive look since morning. In the afternoon, people thronged the ICP at Raxual in large numbers and the post resounded with cheering as deputy commissioner (custom) Santosh Kumar flagged off a well-decorated lorry as the first vehicle for Nepal after the Birgunj-based ICP was inaugurated.

Indian customs and Nepal customs chiefs and SSB jawans were present at Raxaul. Of the four ICPs, the Birganj-based is the first to become operational in Nepal. The construction of the ICP was to be completed in 2013.