Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the Birgunj-based Integrated Check Post (ICP) by pressing a switch from New Delhi on Saturday.

The duo inaugurated the ICP during a joint press conference organised at Hyaderabad House this afternoon.

Built under India’s assistance, the ICP is expected to ease import and export of goods to and from Nepal, India and third countries.

The ICP on the Indian side was completed in July 2016.

Nepal and India had signed an agreement in 2005 for building ICPs in a number of bordering regions like Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj. India has spent around IRs860 million for the construction of the infrastructure in Birgunj. The ICP consists of 22 buildings, including road, yard and compound wall, among other infrastructure.

The construction of ICP on the Nepali side was supposed to be completed in October 2013. But running behind schedule, only 40 percent of construction works was completed at the time. The Indian government later extended the deadline to March 31, 2015. Having missed it too, the contractors extended it for the second time.

Meanwhile, PM Oli and Indian PM Modi also jointly inaugurated the Amlekhgunj-Motihari petroleum pipeline during the programme.

PM Oli had arrived in the Indian capital for a three-day official visit on Friday.