The border trade and immigration centre in Assam’s South Salmara district, closed for four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officially reopened on July 25.
The ceremony was attended by Assam AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam and senior district officials.
MLA Islam highlighted the challenges faced by students, traders, and patients seeking medical care in Bangladesh during the closure.
“The closure forced residents from lower and central Assam to travel to Bangladesh via Meghalaya’s Dawki or Kolkata, causing immense inconvenience,” he stated.
The reopening is expected to ease cross-border movement and enhance trade between India and Bangladesh.
Assam now boasts two operational immigration centres for Bangladesh: the Sutarkandi centre in Karimganj district, which reopened earlier, and the Mankachar centre.
Assam shares a 262-km-long border with Bangladesh, and the resumption of services at these centres marks a significant step towards restoring normalcy in cross-border interactions and economic activities in the region.
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