Benapole land port to remain closed for 8 days during Durga Puja

BENAPOLE, Oct 13: Import and export activities through Benapole land port will remain suspended for eight consecutive days from October 17 to 24 on the occasion of Durga Puja, disrupting goods trade between Bangladesh and India.

However, passport-holding passengers will be able to travel between the two countries as usual during the period. Ruhul Amin, acting director of Benapole land port, confirmed the decision, saying the suspension was due to holidays at India’s Petrapole port for Durga Puja and public holidays in Bangladesh.

Import and export activities are scheduled to resume on the morning of October 25. Alhaj Mohsin Millon, president of the Benapole Importers and Exporters Association, said goods transportation between the two countries would remain suspended from October 17 to 24 due to the festival holidays.

Around 500 trucks of goods are imported and exported through Benapole every day, while the government earns approximately Tk 20 crore in revenue daily from the port, he said.

As a result, the eight-day suspension could delay the collection of around Tk 160 crore in revenue, he added.�"UNB