Passenger movement via Benapole suspended on election day

Authorities say the route has never been closed to passport holders since 1972

Passenger movement through the Benapole International Checkpost has been suspended for 24 hours in view of the parliamentary polls.

Passport-holding travellers will not be allowed to cross the Benapole-Petrapole border from 6am on Thursday until 6am on Friday, Benapole Immigration Police chief M Shakhawat Hossain said.

Records show this route has served passengers since 1947, and no election since 1972 has ever led to a complete travel shutdown.

The interim government says it has taken this unprecedented step to ensure the general election is conducted “smoothly”.

Officer Shakhawat said a notification has been issued by the government in this regard.

Cross-border passenger movement between Bangladesh and India will resume as usual after 6am on Friday, he added.