Bangasonahat land port in Kurigram has been awaiting infrastructural overhaul after it was opened a year ago, putting traders in perennial troubles.
They continue to pay taxes to do business without having access to the facilities they need, with the government appearing to be indifferent to improving infrastructures.
Bangladeshi traders are allowed to import 10 types of products from India but can export any sort of product through the port, which provides easy and cost-effective connectivity with Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.
The government in the last four months has earned Tk8 crore in revenue from local traders who imported only coal and rock.
Traders are importing coal and rock from India through the port located in Bhurungimari upazila since December last year, but the import and export of all the products permitted by governments of both countries has not yet begun.
Traders in the upazila say this has made them face losses.
Port workers meanwhile say they are forced to accept low wages as import and export activities are yet to begin in full swing. They also say they are devoid of fair payments due to the lack of complete infrastructure.
Ataul, a porter, says the labour leaders recruiting more and more workers in exchange for their own benefits has aggravated the problem.
“There are now many workers who remain unemployed. As for me, I can load and unload goods from only two to three trucks a week, earning a mere Tk400-500. This is impossible to run my family with this paltry sum.”
Shahin Ahmed, a local trader, says the lack of proper infrastructure has slowed down business to a greater extent.
“Another problem is that the Sonahat railway bridge, which connects the Dudhkumar River, is a risky route, which has caused business expenses to go up.”
Sarker Rakib Ahmed Jewel, president of the port’s C&F Agent, has called on the authorities to build the required infrastructures and to construct a new railway bridge.
Commissioner of Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate in Kurigram, Md Shakil Khandaker, said the authorities should focus on resolving the problems that traders are facing not only to increase revenue but to boost import and export as well.
