Border trade at Hili, Benapole ports suspended

Border trade through the Hili and Benapole land ports remained at a standstill yesterday following the declaration of a nationwide curfew in India and lockdown of Balurghat, a city in the Indian state of West Bengal, on Saturday.

The suspension of trade operations, which was taken to avoid the spread of coronavirus, will continue for the foreseeable future, according to local traders.

However, travellers had made their way through both ports unencumbered by the restrictions since March 13, when the Indian government decided to halt all immigration services until April 15.

"Trade between the two countries have remained suspended since yesterday after India declared a lockdown in Balurghat the day before in fear of a spread of coronavirus," said Abdur Rahman Liton, general secretary of the C&F Agent Association of Hili Land Port.

Goods such as onion, stone, fruits and green chilli are imported through the port.

Once news of the port's indefinite closure reached markets in the district yesterday, retail price of onion, which was selling at Tk 50 per kilogramme, increased by Tk 10 per kilogramme within the afternoon.

Meanwhile, over 500 trucks laden with goods were stuck at the Petrapole end of India yesterday, awaiting clearance to enter Benapole.

Border trade at Benapole Land Port, from which the government collects Tk 20 crore in revenue daily, was suspended on Sunday morning due to the nationwide curfew in India.

"The import-export operations were closed for only a day and are expected to resume tomorrow (Monday) morning," said Akram Hossain, assistant commissioner of Benapole Custom House.

Besides, the loading and unloading of goods for delivery has continued as usual, said Mofizur Rahman Sajon, president of the Benapole C&F Agent Association.

Meanwhile, 1,462 people have travelled from India to Bangladesh while 572 vice versa between March 14 and 20, said Sekendar Ali, officer in charge of immigration at Hili Land Port.

Only nationals of either country are allowed to travel through the port at this time. "Nationals from both sides are taking this opportunity to return home," he said.