Indian truckers flouting health guideline at Benapole port
Hundreds of Indian truck drivers entering Bangladesh through Benapole land port are not following health guideline, posing the risk of spreading the new variant of coronavirus.
As a result, thousands of people in Benapole are at risk of contracting a new variant of the coronavirus.
According to Benapole port sources, on an average five to six hundred trucks of goods are imported from India and two to three hundred trucks of goods are exported to india through the port every day.
Most drivers and helpers do not wear masks or PPEs while entering the port from India. Leaving the trucks at the port, they also walk around the port without mask and using hand sanitizer in the port.
Due to the negligence of the port authorities, most of the drivers and helpers were seen leaving the port without masks and walking around the Benapole market in groups.
However, the port authorities say that all types of masks and hand sanitizer facility will be provided very soon in consultation with the health department.
Even port security personnel are on duty without masks.
Benapole Railway Station Master Saidur Rahman said, the health workers of the port's health department used to work at the railway station to prevent corona infection but now no one comes. Many products are currently being imported by train from India everyday. It is important to keep the prevention system in place for safety.
India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries Director Motiar Rahman said, truck drivers from different states of India are coming to Benapole port and they are also going to India with goods from different parts of Bangladesh. So, these truck drivers have to follow the health guideline.
Benapole Port Acting Director Abdul Jalil said, the port authority took preventive measures from the onset of the viral outbreak. Now, some problems have been created due to manpower crisis. Truck drivers and port workers have been instructed to obey the hygiene rules.
"The matter is being monitored. All preventive measures will be implemented soon in consultation with the health department, he said.
Jashore Civil Surgeon Sheikh Abu Shaheen said, "If the port authority informs us about the matter, all kinds of preventive measures will be taken."
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