Govt to shut 3 border land ports with India, suspend operations at another

Govt body recommends closure of 3 land ports. The government has decided to close three inactive land ports along the Bangladesh-India border and suspend operations at another citing the absence of trade activity immigration service and supporting infrastructure. The land ports slated for closure are Chilahati in Nilphamari, Doulatganj in Chuadanga and Tegamukh in Rangamati. Operations at Balla land port in Habiganj will be suspended due to underdevelopment on the Indian side. The decision was made during an inter-ministerial meeting held on July 28, chaired by Planning Ministry Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud and attended by representatives from the Planning Division, Shipping Ministry, National Board of Revenue, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission and other relevant agencies. 

“These ports have no commercial prospects and closing them will help avoid wasteful public investment,” officials said following the meeting. According to the Shipping Ministry, the decision follows field inspections and a detailed report by the Bangladesh Land Port Authority which oversees 24 land ports nationwide. At least eight of these ports were identified as inactive or unprofitable. Operations at Balla Land Port in Chunarughat, Habiganj have been put on hold despite Bangladesh having already spent Tk 48.89 Cr to acquire 13 acres of land and build infrastructure. On the Indian side, development of Paharmura Land Customs Station remains incomplete preventing operationalization of the new Balla facilities. Trade currently continues through the old customs station.