In the flames of violence, Bangladesh is burning. The situation is quite alarming due to the anti-reservation protests . The unrest in Bangladesh has impacted foreign trade as well. This time, it has affected trade and transportation systems, including the Petrapole border trade. From Saturday, export trade through the Petrapole border has been halted. On Saturday, it was seen that around a thousand goods-laden trucks were standing still, in the Petrapole land port. Considering the situation, several exporters are worried about the halt in exports.
Traders involved in the import-export work at the border say that if trucks stand idle for a day, they have to pay a detention charge of one and a half to two thousand rupees per truck. Moreover, if there are perishable goods, there is a risk of them getting spoiled, this increases the extent of the losses. Due to the turbulent situation in Bangladesh, internet services have been shut down. As a result, it is not possible to communicate with importers and exporters in Bangladesh, leading to payment delays. Overall, the situation is capricious. watch the video
Kamalesh Saini, manager of the Land Port of India, Petrapole, said “Although several goods-laden trucks came from Bangladesh, no trucks moved towards Bangladesh. The export business on the Petrapole border is at the halt. Near about 800 trucks are standing idle. We are quite vigilant about this issue.”
Paritosh Biswas, a resident of Chaigharia in Bongaon and an exporter, said, “If there is unrest in the country we are trading with, it is impossible to conduct business smoothly.” Like many other exporters, Paritosh also has goods-laden trucks standing idle at the Petrapole border. He exports fish feed. However, given the situation in Bangladesh, he is quite uncertain about when he will be able to send the goods across. He said, “Violence is rampant in Bangladesh. Truck drivers here are afraid to transport goods. We are constantly anxious about what might happen. With the way the unrest is escalating in Bangladesh, there is a fear that all import-export activities might completely cease. If trade stops, it will result in losses worth crores of rupees for traders on both sides.” However, those involved in the trade believe that if the situation does not normalize soon, border trade will face significant economic losses.
Petrapole is the largest land port in the country. Most of the trade with Bangladesh via land routes occurs through this port. Kartik Chakraborty, the secretary of the organization involved in the import-export business, ‘Petrapole Clearing Agent Staff Welfare Association,’ said, “The situation in Bangladesh is dire. As a result, the port authorities are currently unwilling to take the risk of sending goods-laden trucks across the border. We are also advising drivers not to take their trucks to the other side. Exporters are pressuring me, but there is nothing we can do.”
Kartik said that many trucks are standing idle at Petrapole, including at least 35 trucks carrying perishable goods. If exports remain halted, these goods will spoil, leading to significant financial losses. On Thursday, goods were exported in 339 trucks, and imports came in 229 trucks. Due to the unrest in Bangladesh, goods are now being transported from Benapole port to various parts of Bangladesh at night. If the situation in Bangladesh does not come under control, it will further impact trade.
On the other hand, there is private bus service from the Petrapole border to Kolkata. Primarily, Bangladeshis travel on these buses. Due to the decreased number of people coming from Bangladesh, most of these buses were standing idle at the border on Saturday. However, it has been reported by sources at the Petrapole port that a government bus travelling between India and Bangladesh went to Bangladesh in the morning.
The Ministry of External Affairs has reported that 778 students have safely returned to India from Bangladesh. On Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, stating that more than 4,000 Indian students studying in various universities in Bangladesh, are stuck in there amidst this dire situation. This issue is raising concern across the borders.
