Trade through Benapole port resumes after 2.5 months

Benapole port opened for trade between Bangladesh and India yesterday afternoon after being kept shut for around two and a half months since March 23 for the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

At the time of filing of the report, 24 trucks containing motorcycles had arrived from India.

About 2,500 trucks loaded with goods are waiting to enter Bangladesh and it might take around 24 hours for those to get moving for being kept lying idle for such a long period, said Kartik Chandra, general secretary of C&F Agent Staff Association at Petrapole.

Individuals involved, including truck drivers and helpers, are undergoing health checks and are being urged to use protective gear, including masks, said Mamun Tarafdar, director of the Benapole port.

"We are providing all kinds of support for quick loading and unloading," he said.

All parties involved, include the port workers, are optimistic on the reopening, said Mofizur Rahman Sajan, president of Benapole C&F Agents Association.

It is now time to resume rail communication to meet the growing demand, said Benapole Customs Commissioner Belal Hossain Chowdhury.

The West Bengal government had opted to suspend export-import activities up until the central government lifted a fourth phase of lockdown.

The resumption was decided through several meetings of the authorities concerned of both countries, including the Petrapole and Benapole port, customs, business chambers and allied service providing organisations.