The Centre is planning to develop seven to eight new international land ports in West Bengal along the borders with Bangladesh and Nepal to facilitate the movement of cargo and passengers, according to a senior government official.
The proposed facilities will be developed by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), which functions under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. West Bengal currently has one operational land port at Petrapole near Bongaon on the India–Bangladesh border.
Locations identified for development include Panitanki on the India–Nepal border, Ghojadanga in North 24 Parganas on the India–Bangladesh border, Hili in Dinajpur and Birpara in Alipurduar, among others.
LPAI has been seeking for several months to upgrade existing land customs station locations into modern land ports equipped with integrated terminal infrastructure to streamline vehicle movement and border processing. However, progress has been delayed by the lack of suitable land parcels directly adjoining the international border.
Officials indicated that improved coordination between the state and the Centre is expected to help resolve land acquisition issues and accelerate the projects.
LPAI Chairman Jayant Singh said the authority was planning to establish seven to eight land ports in West Bengal. He stated that each facility would require around 50 acres on average and would need to be located immediately along the border.
A modern land port typically includes cargo handling areas, parking facilities, warehouses, cold storage units, immigration and customs infrastructure, and Border Security Force facilities within a single integrated complex.
The proposed projects form part of a broader national plan to add 74 new land ports, which would increase the country’s total from the current 15 operational facilities.
Government data show that India’s trade with neighbouring countries amounted to Rs. 2,27,522 crore (US $24.03 billion), of which Rs. 82,844 crore (US $8.75 billion) was routed through land ports. Officials estimate that India’s land borders have the potential to support an additional Rs. 4,44,167 crore (US $46.91 billion) in trade.
Textile products constitute a significant component of land-border commerce. India exports raw cotton, cotton yarn and fabrics through land ports, while imports include raw jute, synthetic staple fibres and certain ready-made cotton garments.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
