Indian Truck Drivers Safe at Benapole Amid Bangladesh Unrest: Customs Clearing Agents
Image Source: Internet
A meeting between customs clearing agents from Petrapole and Benapole has brought assurance from Bangladeshi authorities that Indian truck drivers are not at risk at Benapole despite ongoing unrest in the neighboring country. According to Kartik Chakraborty, general secretary of the Clearing and Forwarding Agents' Staff Welfare Association, 70-100 Indian trucks are typically parked at Benapole, staying for an average of three to four days due to export consignment delays. The drivers, mostly from outside West Bengal, have been advised to stay within the port premises as a precautionary measure. Bangladeshi authorities have assured that there is no threat to trade or Indian truck drivers, but the drivers have been advised to avoid venturing outside the port area until the situation normalizes. Trade operations at the Petrapole-Benapole land port, a major border crossing between India and Bangladesh, continue without disruption, with security measures in place. The port handles nearly 70% of India-Bangladesh land-based trade, with annual trade exceeding ₹30,000 crore. Recent unrest in Bangladesh, including attacks on the Assistant Indian High Commissioner's residence and vandalism at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, has raised concerns about driver safety. However, Bangladeshi authorities have urged citizens to resist violence, and the situation is being closely monitored.
