Stone import from Meghalaya resumes after 11 months

SYLHET, Sept 28: The import of stones from the Indian state of Meghalaya has resumed through the Bholaganj land customs station in Sylhet after 11-month suspension.

The resumption of import trade began with the entrance of ten boulder stone-laden trucks into the Bangladesh territory Tuesday afternoon.

Stone importers and traders expressed alike a sigh of relief with the resumption of stone import after a long interval.

The suspension had been imposed on November 5 last year after the Indian Green Tribunal had passed an order in this regard on environmental grounds, said officials and importers quoting information from the Indian side.

The Indian exporters were allowed to clear their old stocks through Sylhet region.

Accordingly, India's Bholaganj Majhai Exporters Association in a memo on September 26 informed the Bangladesh authority about resumption of stone export.

Confirming the resumption of stone import, the Commissioner of Customs, Excise & VAT Commissionerate in Sylhet Md. Shafiqul Islam told the FE that stone would be imported soon through Chela and Ichhamoti LC stations in Sunamganj district following permission from the Indian authorities for clearing their old stock.

Besides, he added, limestone import also resumed recently through the Zakiganj land custom station with import of about 500 tonnes of limestone only days ago.

According to him, limestone import through other LC stations would also resume from October 3.

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