Export-import thru Benapole port halted for Diwali

BENAPOLE, Nov 15: Export-import activities between the two neighbouring countries- Bangladesh and India- through Benapole land port remained suspended on Sunday on the occasion of Diwali festival.

Sources said export-import trades in the port remained halted for the festival since Sunday morning.

However, travelling of the passport-holding passengers continued as usual between the two countries.

Cargo handling and delivery activities were going on at the Benapole port and customs house on a regular basis.

Kartik Chakraborty, general secretary of the Petrapole C&F Staff Welfare Association of India, said due to the public holiday in India on the occasion of Diwali, import and export activities remained closed from the morning till evening at Petrapole port.

However, despite the closure of import-export trades, customs and port activities were normal.

Shahidul Islam, a revenue officer at the Benapole Customs Checkpost Cargo Branch, said users of the Petrapole port in India kept import-export trade shut on Sunday due to Diwali.

The Indian authorities had announced the closure on Saturday afternoon.

Loading, unloading and delivery of imported goods and customs clearance at Benapole port was going on as usual.

Regular import-export activities will start today (Monday) morning.

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