FFFAI organised Women’s wing delegation visit to India – Bangladesh Border with an objective to explore opportunities as well as understand challenges especially for the women logistics professionals on August 6, 2023, led by Chaitaly Mehta, Convenor, Women’s Wing, FFFAI. The visit was made to the Petrapole-Benapole border, near Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
According to Chaitaly, the purpose of the visit was to understand what differentiates an ICP from an airport to a seaport and ICD, how logistics activities are carried out at an ICP and what exactly is an ICP. Especially, challenges before the women logistics practitioners at a border customs post were the focus area. She also highlighted the introduction of the E-Suvidha Portal, which has significantly reduced waiting times for cargo vehicles from 30-40 days to just 48 hours.
Furthermore, the implementation of ICEGATE has streamlined the online filing of documents. Additionally, the presence of Plant Quarantine and Animal Quarantine offices within the Petrapole ICP, with ongoing discussions with FSSAI. The construction of a state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal and the launch of Yatri Subhidha for International Passengers further demonstrate LPAI’s commitment to enhancing trade and passenger experiences at the border.
The visit was coordinated by Calcutta Customs House Agents Association (CCHAA) with the LPI Petrapole.Commenting on the significance of this visit Shankar Shinde, Chairman, FFFAI said that this is one of the World Bank’s initiatives to seek more women’s participation in logistics and also provide opportunities on Land Customs Station for women to play important role.
