Bibirbazar landport starts operation by April next

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Mahmuda Shaolin
Bibirbazar, the newly established full-fledged land port in Comilla, is expected to start operation by April next year to facilitate country's trade with the seven eastern states of India.
"We've already completed building infrastructures that include administrative building, warehouse, yard, parking place, and setting up of a dumping place and proper banking facility for smooth operation of the Bibirbazar Land Port," said an official of Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA).
For proper operation of the port, BLPA needs to construct a 500-metre road on the Gomti Bridge, which is nearer to the Indian border, said BLPA member Md Khurshid Alam.
He said BLPA is consulting with the Roads and Highways Department to build the road to facilitate transportation of goods. But the Roads and Highways Department needs approval from the Water Development Board because it maintains the Gomti Bridge, he said.
"We're hopeful about getting permission from the authorities concerned soon. We've a plan to complete the road by March next year," said another BLPA official.
"Bangladesh can earn more revenue through the Bibirbazar port, which is only six to seven kilometres away from Comilla town, because it will facilitate exports to India's seven states," the official said.
The Bibirbazar land port will be more viable financially for importing goods from India as it is nearer compared to Akhaura Land Customs (LC) Station.
Currently, the daily volume of trade between India and Bangladesh is estimated approximately at $184,630 through the 20 land customs stations located along the four of the eight northeastern states of India.
India's exports to Bangladesh account for more than $2.0 billion and imports from Bangladesh are worth only $ 300 million annually.