West Bengal to Anchor New Land Port Development Strategy, Says LPAI.

West Bengal will continue to be a central focus in India’s upcoming land port development plans due to the “sensitivity” of the Siliguri Corridor and the state’s shared borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) chairperson Jayant Singh said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the launch of the Land Port Management System (LPMS) ‘Vinimay’, Singh said India currently has 15 operational land ports, with plans to develop 11 additional ports over the next three years.

“In phase one and in the current phase, Bengal will be our focus because of its important geographical location… we have to secure the Siliguri Corridor. Seeing its sensitivity, we need huge Border Infrastructure and Management,” he said.

Singh added that the government aims to transform border crossings into multimodal trade corridors, citing locations such as Raxaul, Birganj, Jogbani, and the broader Siliguri Corridor as key areas for integrated development.

He also highlighted plans to convert land ports into economic hubs. At Petrapole and Ghojadanga in West Bengal, the authority has been allocated 20–22 acres of land where textile clusters could potentially be developed.

The new LPMS ‘Vinimay’ platform is designed to streamline coordination among stakeholders, including government agencies and private operators, reducing delays and improving efficiency in border operations. The system enables end-to-end digital processing of cargo and passenger movement, including slot booking, payments, tracking, and single-window clearances.

According to a statement from the Home Ministry, LPMS is integrated with key national platforms such as ICEGATE, ULIP and the motor vehicle ecosystem, enabling interoperable and transparent border management. It facilitates real-time exchange of logistics and regulatory data, bringing land ports in line with digital systems used at airports and seaports.

The ministry said the initiative reflects the government’s focus on smart border management, improved trade facilitation, and enhanced security through technology-driven solutions aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.