Petrapole, Benapole land customs stations to function seven days a week from Jan. 1

The Union Government on Tuesday evening announced that Petrapole and Benapole (on the Bangladesh side) land customs stations would remain operational seven days a week from January 1, and working hours of both the sides would be aligned. The move comes after K. S. Rao, Union Minister of Textiles, urged the Finance Ministry to ease congestion on the Petrapole-Benapole route.

More than 50 per cent of the bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh takes place through the Petrapole-Benapole land custom route. Last fiscal, total trade between the two countries stood at $5.5 billion.

Exporters and importers have, however, sought an improved infrastructure and law and order situation to support increased working hours.

According to Kartick Chakraborty, a Bangaon-based exporter, there is a prior need for expansion of infrastructure to facilitate 24x7 operations at these land custom stations. Located close to Petrapole, Bangaon is a municipality area in North 24 Parganas district of Bengal.

“Apart from inadequate infrastructure, there are law and order problems both on the Indian and Bangladesh sides. There should be a land port police station to ensure safety, if operations remain on for seven days a week,” he told Business Line. Another Kolkata-based clearing agent, who operates through this route, feels Bangladesh Government also needs to match up to operations on the Indian side.

“We welcome this step. But, it needs equal support from Benapole side,” he said.

Ramesh Agarwal, Chairman Eastern Region, Federation of Indian Export Organisations, said: “This is a big step in trade facilitation and will boost bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh.”

The Indian customs department welcomed the decision as it will increase cargo movement.

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