Complexity over issuing visas hindered operations at the Banglabandha land port yesterday, a day after it was opened, immigration officials said.
On Thursday, a group of 32 people, led by the Panchagarh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Ashraful Alam Patwari travelled to India on special visas.
Many said they could not use the checkpost as their visas did not cover this route.
Partex furniture’s dealer Harun-ur-Rashid said he would have to apply to Indian High Commission’s Rangpur visa centre to change the route. “Only then will I be able to use this checkpost. New passport holders will be able to use this route if they apply for Banglabandha-Fulbari route.”
Banglabandha Immigration Checkpost’s Officer-in-Charge Mohseul Gani said the governments were yet to permit travellers to use this port. “I hope more people will use this checkpost from next week.”
Meanwhile, the checkpost is hardly covered by mobile network. PCCI chief Ashraful said they were unable to perform important tasks. “We can not even contact anyone,” he said. Mahbubul Alam Montu, who travelled to India though Banglabandha, said he could not speak with his family before departing.
Journalists covering the checkpost’s inauguration said they had a hard time. “We had to travel to Tetulia to send reports,” a reporter said.
Bangladesh’s largest private mobile operator Grameenphone’s Panchagarh Territory Officer Jibon Kumar Shil said he also faced similar problem. “We have informed our regional head and technology department about it. I hope our network will cover Banglabandha soon.”
