Import-export activities between Bangladesh and India through Hili Land Port in Dinajpur resumed today after a six-day suspension due to an indefinite strike by Indian traders. Deputy Director of the Customs Preventive Department at Hili Land Port Md Anwar Hossain confirmed the resumption of activities around 4:30 pm today. The activities resumed after Indian traders withdrew their indefinite strike at noon following assurances from the Indian government and administration.
With the reopening of the port, business activities have returned to normal, bringing renewed bustle among traders, customs officials, transport workers, and other people associated with the port. Hili Customs C&F Agents Association General Secretary Md Shahinur Islam Mondal said many traders at Hili in India had been suffering financial losses as the port was lagging behind other land ports in West Bengal in terms of commercial competition. A section of the traders had decided to suspend import-export activities indefinitely over the issue, resulting in a complete halt to the movement of goods between the two countries through Hili Land Port for the past six days.
By 4:30 pm, five trucks carrying imported Indian goods had entered Bangladesh through the port. After the resumption of trade, Bangladeshi cargo trucks also started entering India, while trucks carrying various goods from India began entering Bangladesh. Arrangements were made for immediate unloading of the imported goods, and the cleared consignments were transported to different parts of Bangladesh by local trucks, port authorities said. Meanwhile, Officer-in-Charge of Hili Immigration Checkpost SI Md Zakaria said the movement of passport-holding passengers between the two countries had remained normal despite the suspension of import-export activities. He said passenger movement through the immigration check post was continuing smoothly today.
FAQs
Q: Why was the Hili Land Port closed for six days? A: The port was closed due to an indefinite strike by Indian traders who were protesting financial losses and the port's lagging competitiveness compared to other land ports in West Bengal.
Q: What led to the resumption of activities at the port? A: The resumption of activities followed the withdrawal of the indefinite strike by Indian traders after they received assurances from the Indian government and administration.
Q: How has the resumption of activities impacted trade between Bangladesh and India? A: The resumption has normalized business activities, allowing the movement of goods and cargo trucks between the two countries. Imported goods are being unloaded and transported across Bangladesh.
