Govt shuts 3 land ports; suspends operations of another
Three land ports -- Chilahati Land Port in Nilphamari, Daulatganj Land Port in Chuadanga and Tegamukh Land Port in Rangamati -- are being shut down as per the decision while suspending operations at Balla Land Port in Habiganj.
The interim government today (28 August) announced the complete closure of three land ports and the suspension of operations at another along the Bangladesh-India border, citing the need to save taxpayers' money and reduce government expenditure.
The decision was approved in principle at a meeting of the Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his office.
Under the plan, Chilahati Land Port in Nilphamari, Daulatganj Land Port in Chuadanga, and Tegamukh Land Port in Rangamati will be permanently closed, while operations at Balla Land Port in Habiganj will be suspended.
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Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy following the meeting.
"As you know, politicians from border areas sometimes pushed for the approval of such land ports for political reasons. In reality, there has been little or no trade, which imposes an unnecessary cost burden on the government," he said.
He added that a committee had studied the issue and concluded that taxpayer money was being spent unnecessarily, with officials posted at inactive ports.
Earlier, the government committee had recommended the complete closure of three unprofitable and inactive land ports, along with the suspension of operations at another port.
