Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday launched the Land Port Management System (LPMS), a centralised digital platform aimed at improving and modernising operations at the country’s land ports. The new platform, called VINIMAY, has been introduced as an important part of the Centre’s Smart Border initiative. It is designed to bring cargo, passenger and vehicle processing onto a single digital interface, making border operations faster, more efficient and better coordinated.

Speaking at the launch event, Shah highlighted the importance of the new system in strengthening border management. “The Land Port Management System has been designed keeping in mind the requirements of all stakeholders, while giving special emphasis to security. Together with the Smart Border initiative, this system will help create an impregnable and secure border management framework,” Shah said.

The Union Minister stated that LPMS and the Smart Border initiative would work together to build a more secure and modern border management system. He said the measures would help prevent illegal activities and further strengthen the country’s border security framework.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the new platform will introduce a Single Electronic Window that will allow users to access multiple services through one system. It will also enable real-time information sharing among border guarding forces, regulatory agencies and other central government departments involved in border management.

The ministry said the platform has been developed to integrate cargo management, vehicle processing and coordination among different agencies on a single platform. “LPMS integrates cargo management, vehicle processing and inter-agency coordination on one platform, allowing border agencies to access and exchange information in real time,” the ministry said in a statement.

Officials believe the system will significantly improve efficiency at land ports. The ministry stated that LPMS is expected to eliminate nearly 90 per cent of paper work currently involved in border operations. It is also expected to reduce truck waiting times by 40 to 60 per cent. Gate processing time is projected to decrease by 22 to 35 per cent through features such as Single Electronic Window clearances and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)-based gate operations.

Shah also spoke about the expansion of land port infrastructure across the country. He said that 15 land ports are currently operational. The government plans to develop 11 additional land ports over the next two to three years. This will increase the total number of operational land ports in the country to 26.

The home minister highlighted the growth in trade passing through land ports over the past decade. According to government data, trade through these ports has increased from ₹5,000 crore in 2014 to ₹83,000 crore at present. He said this growth reflects the increasing importance of land ports in supporting trade and economic activity.

Shah noted that the idea of establishing the Land Ports Authority of India first emerged in 2012 and gradually developed between 2012 and 2014. He said that after 2014, the initiative received fresh momentum and direction under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He further emphasised the role of land ports in the development of border regions. “Land ports have played an important role in the overall development of border areas, promoting legitimate trade and finding solutions to challenges like migration,” he added.

The launch of VINIMAY marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to digitise and streamline border operations. By reducing paperwork, improving coordination among agencies and speeding up the movement of people and goods, the system is expected to strengthen border security while making trade and travel through land ports more efficient.