Administrative Complications in India
Import-export suspended indefinitely via Hili port
Hili land port. Photo: Agamir Somoy.
Due to administrative complications in India, traders on the Indian side have announced the indefinite suspension of import-export activities through the Hili land port in Dinajpur, effective from today (Sunday).
This information was conveyed in a letter signed by Bikash Chandra Mandal, General Secretary of the Hili Exporters and Customs Clearing Agents Association in India, addressed to the Bangla-hili C&F Agents Association.
Md. Shahinur Islam Shahin Mandal, General Secretary of the Banglahili C&F Agents Association, said the letter was received on Saturday night.
Reason for the Trade Suspension
The letter said that a joint meeting of the executive committee of Indian import-export traders discussed the Hili land port situation among all West Bengal ports. It was noted that the Hili port has fallen behind in commercial competitiveness compared to other land ports in West Bengal for various reasons. In this context, to protect the interests of traders, it was decided to suspend import-export activities through the Hili land port indefinitely from Sunday.
"Discussions are ongoing with traders on the other side regarding this issue," said Shahin Mandal.
He added that if the import-export of goods through the Hili land port remains suspended for a long time, traders from both countries, as well as people involved in various port-centric professions, could suffer. Efforts are being made to resolve the issue quickly through dialogue and normalize trade activities.
Uncertainty Looms Over Port-Centric Businesses
A large number of people—including importers, exporters, C&F agents, transporters, and laborers from both countries—depend on the Hili land port for their livelihoods.
If import-export is suspended indefinitely, these businesses and employment are likely to be affected. Traders are now looking to see how quickly this deadlock can be resolved through negotiations among the concerned parties.
Meanwhile, OC Md. Zakaria of the immigration checkpoint confirmed that although goods import-export is suspended, the movement of valid passport holders through the Hili immigration checkpoint will remain normal.
