Long queue of trucks at Banglabandha land port, trade grows but so does suffering

A long queue of cargo trucks. One truck behind another. Some drivers have been waiting for a day, some for two days at the port entrance. Some trucks carry garment factory waste, some carry husk, while others carry fibreglass and various other goods. Their destinations are Nepal, India or Bhutan. However, before reaching their destinations, the cargo trucks have to wait for hours at the border.

Such scenes were witnessed at Banglabandha land port in Panchagarh from Monday (August 17) afternoon till evening. After completing formalities on the Bangladesh side, the trucks have to wait to enter the Indian border. Trucks are entering across the border at long intervals. The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is giving clearance after verifying documents and vehicle papers.

Truck drivers said cargo transport on this route has increased recently compared to the last two years. Around 40 to 60 cargo trucks are leaving Bangladesh for India, Nepal and Bhutan every day. However, imports are much higher than exports. In particular, a huge quantity of stones is coming to Bangladesh from India and Bhutan.

Bangladeshi and Indian truck drivers said around 150 to 250 trucks carrying stones enter Bangladesh every day. Among them, stone-laden trucks from Bhutan are more numerous.

Banglabandha land port authorities said garment factory waste is currently the main export from Bangladesh to India. These wastes are processed in various Indian factories to extract cotton and yarn. Various products, including blankets, are also made from these wastes.

Several Indian truck drivers returning after delivering stones from Bhutan to Bangladesh were stranded at the Banglabandha land port.

They said they came to Bangladesh with stones from Bhutan. Even though they were supposed to return with empty trucks after unloading cargo, they are still unable to cross the border. Some have been stuck for a day, some for two days.

They said they are not clearly aware of why such a situation has arisen. However, this is causing a waste of time and increasing their suffering.

Suruzzaman Suruj, a truck driver, was taking husk from Bangladesh to Nepal. He said there is huge demand for husk in Nepal. Not only that, jute from Bangladesh also sells well in Nepal. However, due to long waits at the border, delivering goods on time has become difficult.

Indian truck driver Raju Karji, of Nepali origin, said trucks are being cleared very slowly. Being stranded at the border for one to two days incurs additional expenses for drivers. Many drivers are facing food and accommodation problems. Some are spending time without food. He himself has been stuck for two days.

He said trade has increased somewhat, but long delays mean higher costs, causing financial problems for them.

Drivers said truck movement through this land port has increased recently compared to the past. However, the speed of border crossing has slowed down, increasing their suffering.

Indian truck driver Jiban Pradhan said the land port is not only benefiting traders; it is also a source of income for truck drivers and workers. If trade between Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan is good, the income of workers also increases.

Banglabandha port authorities said Bangladesh's trade relations with India, Nepal and Bhutan are intertwined around Banglabandha land port, creating business and employment opportunities. The speed of truck crossing needs to be increased by completing document verification, BSF clearance and other formalities quickly to ease their problems.

Truck driver Munju Islam said he was taking husk from Bangladesh to Nepal. Two years ago, around 20 to 25 trucks used to cross the Banglabandha border daily. Now, trade has increased to 40 to 60 trucks crossing the border daily.

He said more vehicles enter Bangladesh from India and Nepal, most carrying stones and brooms. However, they currently have to stand for hours at the entrance.

At the time of writing this report, it was not possible to contact any official in charge of Banglabandha land port.

Asked about the matter, Mohammad Rayhan Kabir, public relations officer of the Bangladesh Land Port Authority, told Views Bangladesh that the local subordinate authority (Banglabandha authorities) would be able to explain why truck crossings are taking so long.