Trade through Benapole port resumes after 10 weeks

Trade between Bangladesh and India through the land port in Benapole resumed Sunday afternoon, after being suspended for two-and-half months, reports news agency UNB.

The Indian truckers have entered the Benapole land port with goods-laden trucks after maintaining health guidelines and passing a health test conducted at the port.

The trade activities at the land port remained suspended since 23 March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier, the authorities of Benapole land port sent letters to the authorities concerned in India seeking resumption of trade activities but they did not provide any permission as the bordering state of West Bengal area has many areas marked as red.

Later, the government of West Bengal and the authorities concerned of Petrapole land port decided to open the trade activities between the countries from Sunday.

With the resumption of the trade activities, 24 trucks entered into the Benapole land port till Sunday afternoon.

Katrik Chandra, general secretary of C&F Agent Staff Association at Petrapole Land port, said a total of 2500 goods-laden trucks are waiting to enter the Benapole land port.

The trade activities will go into full operation from Monday, he said.

Mafizur Rahman Sajan, president of Benapole C& F Agent Association, said the trade activities resumed on Sunday afternoon after fruitful meetings between the authorities concerned of two countries.

Mamun Tarafdar, director of Benapole land port, said “The truckers were allowed only with masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) after ensuring health guidelines and we are giving all out support to unload the goods as soon as possible.”