The government of Bangladesh has decided to shut three land ports along the India-Bangladesh border, citing financial strain and declining cross-border trade. The ports affected are Chilahati in Nilphamari, Daulatganj in Chuadanga, and Tegamukh in Rangamati. Operations at Balla land port in Habiganj have also been suspended.
Decision from the Advisory Council
The closures were finalized during a meeting of the Advisory Council led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. Following the meeting, his press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, announced the decision to the media. According to Alam, the ports had already been inactive for some time, making their maintenance costly and unnecessary.
Impact of India’s Export Ban
The move comes months after India restricted exports to Bangladesh through land routes. Since then, trade volumes between the two countries have sharply declined, reducing the relevance of several border trade posts. With little movement of goods, Dhaka’s government determined the ports were no longer viable.
Financial Pressure on the Government
Explaining the rationale, Alam pointed out that maintaining land ports requires officials, infrastructure, and continuous funding. With most of them inactive, these facilities have become a financial burden. “Several other land ports in Bangladesh have been approved, but most are practically ineffective. Due to lack of commercial activity, the government has to spend additional funds to keep them running, and taxpayers’ money is being wasted,” he said.
Recommendation from the Shipping Ministry
The Ministry of Shipping had earlier recommended the closures, noting that poor infrastructure and declining trade activity made certain land ports redundant. The Advisory Council endorsed this view, marking a cost-cutting step by the Yunus government at a time when Bangladesh faces economic challenges.
