Benapole port to suspend trade for eight days during Durga Puja

Import and export trade through Benapole Land Port in Jashore will remain suspended for eight consecutive days on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja. However, passport holding passengers will be able to travel between the two countries as usual during this period.

Ruhul Amin, acting director of Benapole Land Port, said import and export activities between Bangladesh and India would remain suspended from October 17 to October 24. The decision was taken because of holidays at India’s Petrapole Port for Durga Puja and public holidays in Bangladesh.

The import and export of goods through the land port will resume on the morning of October 25.

Alhaj Mohsin Milan, president of the Benapole Port Importers and Exporters Association, said, “An average of around 500 trucks of goods are imported and exported through Benapole Port every day. The government receives around Tk 2 billion in revenue daily from this port. Accordingly, if trade remains suspended for eight consecutive days, the collection of around Tk 16 billion in revenue could be delayed.”

Businesspeople fear congestion involving goods and vehicles at the port due to the prolonged suspension of import and export activities. They said raw materials for industrial factories, food products and various other goods are imported through this important land port. A significant portion of goods imported overland from India enters Bangladesh through Benapole. As a result, an eight-day suspension of trade could disrupt the supply of raw materials to industrial factories and affect markets for imported goods.

Kartik Chakraborty, general secretary of the Clearing Agents’ Staff Welfare Association at India’s Petrapole Port, said trade activities at Petrapole would remain suspended from October 17 to October 21 due to the public holidays for Durga Puja. Meanwhile, holidays in Bangladesh from October 20 to October 24 will result in the suspension of import and export activities between the two countries for eight consecutive days.

However, passenger movement through the Benapole International Checkpost will remain normal despite the suspension of import and export activities, said Saifur Rahman, officer in charge (OC) of the Benapole Checkpost Immigration Police.

He said passenger movement between India and Bangladesh was likely to increase during Durga Puja. Necessary preparations have therefore been made to ensure safe and uninterrupted travel for passengers. Additional officers have been assigned to immigration desks to reduce inconvenience for travelers.

Acting Director Ruhul said, “The Indian customs authorities and the C&F agents of both countries have informed the port authorities about the holidays. However, internal port operations and customs activities will remain normal on October 18 and 19. Goods imported earlier can be cleared during this period. At the same time, empty Indian trucks can return to their country after unloading their goods.”