11Functions of Authority

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Authority shall have powers to develop, sanitize and manage the facilities for cross border movement of passengers and goods at designated points along the international borders of India.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the Authority may—

(a) put in place systems, which address security imperatives at the integrated check posts on the border;

(b) plan, construct and maintain roads, terminals and ancillary buildings other than national highways, State highways and railways, at an integrated check post;

(c) plan, procure, install and maintain communication, security, goods handling and scanning equipment at an integrated check post;

(d) provide appropriate space and facilities for immigration, customs, security, taxation authorities, animal and plant quarantine, warehouses, cargo and baggage examination yards, parking zones, banks, post offices, communication facilities, tourist information centres, waiting halls, canteen, refreshment stal ls, public conveniences, health services and such other services, as may be deemed necessary;

(e) construct residential buildings for its employees as well as residential accommodation for staff deployed at integrated check posts;

(f) establish and maintai n hotels, restaurants and restrooms;

(g) establish and maintain warehouses, container depots and cargo complexes for the storage or processing of goods;

(h) arrange for postal, money exchange, insurance and telephone facilities for the use of passengers an d other persons at integrated check posts;

(i) make appropriate arrangements for the security of integrated check posts and provide for regulation and control of movement of vehicles, entry and exit of passengers and goods in accordance with the respective law concerning them;

(j) ensure prevention and control of fire and other hazards and other facilities as deemed necessary;

(k) regulate and control the movement of vehicles, and the entry and exit of passengers, transportation workers, handling agents, clearing and forwarding agents and goods at the integrated check post with due regard to the law, security and protocol of the Government of India;

(l) co-ordinate and facilitate the working of agencies who have been engaged to undertake various activities at the integrated check posts, in accordance with the respective law, for the time being in force;

(m) develop and provide consultancy, construction or management services, and undertake operations in India and abroad in relation to an integrated check post ;

(n) form one or more companies under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) or under any other law relating to companies for efficient discharge of the functions imposed on it by this Act;

(o) take all such steps as may be necessary or expedient for, or may be incidental to, the exercise of any power or the discharge of any function conferred or imposed on it by this Act:

Provided that sovereign functions of the Authority shall not be assigned to any private entity;

(p) set up joint ventures for the discharge of any of the functions assigned to the Authority; and

(q) undertake any other activity at the integrated check post in the best commercial interests of the Authority.

(3) In the discharge of its functions under this section, the Authority may consult such ministry or department of the Government of India or of the State Government as it deems necessary, and shall have due regard to the development of land port services and to the efficiency, economy and safety of such service.

(4) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as—

(a) authorising the disregard by the Authority of any law for the time being in force; or

(b) authorising any person to institute any proceeding in respect of duty or liability to which the Authority or its officers or other employees would not otherwise be subject to.