Trade between India and Bangladesh has ground to a halt amid intensifying student protests in Bangladesh.
On Sunday, the movement of cargo trucks via land ports ceased completely, officials confirmed, citing the non-functional status of the Bangladeshi side of the Petrapole land port.
"Trade from other land ports to Bangladesh, including Petrapole, Gojadanga, Fulbari, and Mahadipur, has also stalled as Bangladeshi Customs announced a two-day holiday from Sunday," stated Ujjal Saha, Secretary of the West Bengal Exporters' Coordination Committee.
The Bangladeshi government had declared a holiday except for essential services due to the ongoing unrest.
The cargo trucks that crossed over to Bangladesh from India-Bangladesh trade in Malda on Saturday have not returned, but they are reported safe.
"There has been no movement of trucks (import and export) at the Petrapole border since Sunday morning. Our land border remains open, but due to the situation at Benapole, trade has been impacted," explained Kamlesh Saini, Manager of the Land Port Authority of India at Petrapole.
On Saturday, 110 trucks crossed over to India from Bangladesh, while 48 trucks went to Bangladesh with exports.
Saini noted that around 700 trucks with general merchandise are now stranded in parking lots, loaded with cargo, waiting to cross into Bangladesh.
On an average day, 400-450 trucks with goods cross the Petrapole landport from India, while 150-200 trucks come to India from Bangladesh.
Despite the halt in cargo movement, passenger movement continued, with the majority being students returning due to security concerns.
A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson mentioned that Indians are being evacuated from violence-hit Bangladesh, with the BSF assisting in the return of 572 Indian, 133 Nepalese, and four Bhutanese students so far.
Petrapole, South Asia's largest land port, is located in North 24 Parganas district in Bongaon, about 82 km from Kolkata.
Trade analyst Sagar Khastagir remarked that trade was already low due to economic factors and the monsoon, but the unrest has had a significant adverse impact.
Khastagir noted that while exports via waterways have not stopped, they have significantly reduced, primarily due to decreased demand.
The logistics hindrances in Bangladesh caused by curfew and unrest are expected to impact key exports, such as fly ash, which is crucial for cement production in Bangladesh.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka, along with assistant high commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Khulna, continue to assist Indian nationals in their return.
The Ministry of External Affairs is coordinating with relevant Indian authorities to ensure smooth passage for citizens at land ports and airports.
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