Operation of Balla Land Port suspended before it begins
The decision was approved during the 40th meeting of the Advisory Council held yesterday (28 August) at the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon.
The government has suspended operations of the Balla Land Port in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj, despite it being constructed at a cost of Tk50 crore.
The decision was approved during the 40th meeting of the Advisory Council held yesterday (28 August) at the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon.
Built during the previous Awami League government, the port—located at Kedarakot in Gazipur Union, on the Bangladesh-India border—was completed in June 2023 after construction began on 23 March 2016.
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It spans 13 acres, with infrastructure costs totalling Tk49.90 crore.
However, no operational activity has taken place at the port since its completion.
Officials cite the failure of Indian authorities to establish a corresponding facility in Paharmura, Tripura, on the opposite bank of the Khowai River, as a major reason.
The site has now become unusable and unsafe.
In 1951, a check post was set up in the Balla area bordering Chunarughat upazila with an area of 4.37 acres.
After periods of inactivity, it was reopened in 1991, and later declared a full land port in March 2016.
Mohammad Ali, Chairman of Gazipur Union Parishad, emphasised the need to preserve the infrastructure.
Chunarughat Upazila Executive Officer Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said that necessary steps would be taken to protect the site and prevent deterioration.
