Trade halted at Benapole land port

Trade through Benapole Land Port was suspended on Sunday, as people observed Holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi with due religious fervour across the country.

The suspension will remain in effect till tomorrow. However, the movement of people between the two countries through the land border has remained normal, said Abul Kalam Azad, an Officer In-charge (OC) of Immigration Police.

Imdadul Haque Lata, General Secretary of Benapole C&F Agents’ Association, said that C&F associations of the two countries have exchanged letters regarding the pause in trade on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth and death anniversary.

“Advance exchange of letters has taken place between the customs houses of the two sides regarding resumption of trade via the port on Monday morning,” said Abdur Rashid Mia, Joint Commissioner of Benapole Customs house.  

Every day, around 300-350 trucks carrying commercial goods enter Bangladesh from India and at least 150 trucks make the reverse journey via Benapole land port.

Approximately 80 percent of the country’s Indian imports, including raw materials for industries and food items, enters via the Benapole port.