BENAPOLE (JESSORE): Export and import activities at Benapole land port in Jessore district has been closed for indefinite period following the strike of India’s Petrapole business organization of exporters and importers.

They shut-down the port activities on Monday noon (February 15) as a protest of India’s Petrapole land port ‘Integrated Check-post’ truck parking charge.

Earlier on February 13, the port activities were closed for six hours.

As many as 500 goods-carrying trucks have remained stuck on the both sides of the border that may push to huge economic loss if the strike is not lifted.

Petrapole land port exporter-importer Rezaul Islam told banglanews that truck parking charges in Petrapole land port’s ‘Integrated Check-post’ has suddenly increased.

Moreover, new rules and regulations have been imposed on the entrance of businesspeople involved in export and import activities triggering obstacles in smooth trade.

‘The port activities remained closed on February 13 as protect of these impositions,’ he added.

Sources said that a 4-wheel lorry was previously charged with Rs 80 as daily parking that has increased to Rs 270 and a 16-wheel lorry was charged with Rs 120 that has increased to Rs 560.

Moreover, process of taking charge for goods-carrying trucks on hourly basis in entering the ‘Integrated Check-post’ is underway. It will also affect Bangladeshi businesspeople for the hike of costs of exported and imported goods.

Beanpole check-post customs cargo assistant revenue official Hasanul Islam told banglanews that on goods-carrying truck has entered Bangladesh due to the strike of business organizations in India.

BDST: 1734 HRS, FEB 15, 2016
RR/SMS