Dhaka/New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) India has sent back four Bangladeshi trucks carrying goods from the Benapole land port check post, a day after New Delhi revoked the use of its transshipment facility for the export of Bangladeshi goods via its land routes.
Rashedul Sajib Nazir, deputy director of Benapole Port, in Jessore district of Bangladesh, said that the Indian government’s cancellation of the transshipment facility on April 8 led to the Petrapole Customs (on the Indian side) refusing clearance for third-country goods, bdnews 24 reported.
He, however, mentioned that the export trade for goods intended for the Indian market is still operating normally.
Benapole Land Port Deputy Director (Traffic) Mamun Kabir Tarafder said the four Bangladeshi trucks were sent back from the gate of the Indian land port at Petrapole on Wednesday evening.
“The trucks carrying the goods belonged to Dhaka-based exporter DSV Air & Sea Limited. The trucks contained ready-made garment products, which were being exported to Spain," said Benapole Clearing and Forwarding Agent Staff Association General Secretary Sajedur Rahman.
Kartik Chakraborty, general secretary of the Petrapole Clearing and Forwarding Agents Staff Welfare Association of India, said: "The Indian Finance Ministry has issued a letter to the Petrapole customs authority to stop transit facilities through the land port."
"In light of this letter, transit facilities for goods from Benapole to Petrapole port have been stopped," he added.
While India revoking the use of its transshipment facility has caused a lot of worry in Bangladeshi circles, most notably among entrepreneurs and senior politicians, New Delhi has said that this move won’t affect Dhaka's exports to Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar. New Delhi also said that the transshipment facility’s use was withdrawn due to excessive traffic in Indian ports and airports which was affecting India’s own exports.

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