Imports by rail via Benapole port drop 29,000 tonnes in FY25

Infograph: TBS

Highlights:

• Imports via rail at Benapole dropped sharply in 2024–25
• Decline linked to Indian trade restrictions and poor infrastructure
• Rail imports fell from 41,000 tonnes to 12,000 tonnes
• No cargo yard at Benapole hinders unloading and exports
• Key imports and exports banned, affecting multiple essential goods
• Authorities plan cargo yard, traders urge bilateral cooperation

Imports via rail at Benapole land port, the country's largest land port, declined sharply in the 2024–25 fiscal year compared to the previous year.

In the 2023–24 fiscal year, the volume of goods imported by rail at Benapole was 41,000 tonnes, which dropped by 29,000 tonnes in 2024–25.

Traders attribute this decline to multiple trade restrictions imposed following the political developments after the previous government's ouster last year, as well as the poor state of railway infrastructure. However, railway authorities maintain that efforts are underway to improve the infrastructure.

Benapole port users say that due to convenient connectivity, import and export trade with neighbouring India takes place almost exclusively through Benapole port via both rail and road. However, since 5 August 2024, the Indian government has imposed a series of trade restrictions on Bangladesh. As a result, importers are facing significant difficulties in bringing in many essential goods.

Although there are directives to transport export goods by rail, this has yet to be implemented, as no cargo yard has been constructed at Benapole railway station. Due to these obstacles, only 12,000 tonnes of goods were imported from India via rail during the 2024–25 fiscal year, using just 1,296 wagons.

Traders have called upon both governments to cooperate in overcoming this crisis and improving the trade environment.

Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of the Benapole C&F Agents Staff Association, said, "The unloading of goods is being disrupted due to inadequate railway infrastructure. No yard has been constructed at the railway station to facilitate unloading."

He added that although the National Board of Revenue (NBR) granted permission for exporting goods by rail two years ago, implementation has yet to begin. "If export trade by rail is initiated, transportation costs will be significantly reduced."

Mohsin Milon, president of the Benapole Importers-Exporters Association, said that due to the current trade restrictions, imports from India, such as yarn, powdered milk, printed paper, paperboard, fish, and tobacco, are banned. Similarly, exports of jute and jute products, readymade garments, plastics, wooden furniture, and fruits have also been halted.

Md Saiduzzaman, station master of Benapole Railway Station, said trade has declined at Benapole due to the Indian government's restrictions. "However, the government plans to construct a cargo yard at Benapole Railway Station to expedite unloading. The matter of exporting by rail is currently under high-level discussions between the two countries."

Mamun Kabir Tarafdar, deputy director of Benapole Port, said once the railway shed is completed, the operational burden on Benapole port will decrease, allowing traders to transport goods more efficiently.