Benapole port halts trade for Eid-e-Miladunnabi, but passenger crossing continues

Trade and customs operations through Benapole Land Port have been suspended for Eid-e-Miladunnabi, although passenger travel between Bangladesh and India remains unaffected.

Commercial operations at the Benapole-Petrapole crossing have been closed since Wednesday due to the public holiday and will resume on Thursday morning, according to Abdus Sabur Sheikh, president of the Benapole C&F Agents Staff Association.

Passenger movement through the Benapole International Checkpost has remained normal despite the suspension of trade, said Ferdous Hossain Khan, chief of the immigration unit.

Ruhul Amin, acting director of Benapole Land Port, said import-export and customs operations between Benapole and Petrapole would remain closed for the day. 

Indian empty trucks, however, will be allowed to return after unloading goods at the Benapole port.

Port and immigration authorities said around 600 trucks carrying goods cross the port each day for trade with India.

More than 1,500 passport-holding passengers also travel through the crossing daily for medical treatment, business and other purposes.