1 day ago
Hili Border Trade Halt Deepens Overloaded Truck Dispute
Trade between India and Bangladesh has stopped at the Hili land port.
The stoppage began on Sunday.
Exporters say they are struggling to compete with other ports.
Sources say police also told traders that overloaded trucks would not be allowed to cross into Bangladesh.
Some traders reportedly depend on extra cargo to cover their costs.
The exporters have not publicly confirmed that overloading caused the halt.
Trucks carrying goods are waiting near the port.
Officials and exporters met, but they did not solve the disagreement.
No date has been announced for trade to restart.
Imports and exports through Hili land port have been suspended since Sunday.
The exporters’ association cited commercial competition but did not disclose a specific public reason.
Sources linked the halt to police restrictions on overloaded trucks entering Bangladesh.
Trade through Hili had fallen from more than 200 trucks daily to about 20–30 in recent months.
An exporters’ delegation met South Dinajpur’s superintendent of police, but the impasse continued.
- Who
- The Hili Exporters’ & Customs Clearing Agents’ Association, Bangladeshi traders, truck drivers and South Dinajpur police are involved.
- What
- Imports and exports through the Hili land port have been halted.
- Where
- At the Hili land port in South Dinajpur, West Bengal, on the India-Bangladesh border.
- When
- The suspension began on Sunday; trucks were still waiting on Monday.
- Why
- The association cited commercial competition, while sources attributed the dispute to restrictions on overloaded trucks and the traders’ demand to carry additional cargo.
Exporters and Traders
Police and Regulatory Position
Reason for the suspension
Exporters and Traders
The exporters’ association publicly said commercial competition was causing Hili to fall behind other Bengal land ports. Sources said traders wanted permission to carry additional loads because they considered it difficult to cover costs otherwise.
Police and Regulatory Position
South Dinajpur police reportedly informed traders that overloaded trucks would no longer be allowed to enter Bangladesh, according to sources cited in the report.
Overloaded trucks
Exporters and Traders
Sources said exporters suspended trade until they were allowed to carry the additional load, while the association itself did not comment publicly on the overloading issue.
Police and Regulatory Position
The reported police position was that overloaded trucks would not be permitted to cross into Bangladesh.
Resolution
Exporters and Traders
The exporters’ association said its decision to halt cross-border trade would continue.
Police and Regulatory Position
A delegation met the superintendent of police in Balurghat, but no resolution to the impasse was reported.
Key facts
- Trade status
- Imports and exports through Hili have been suspended since Sunday.
- Daily traffic previously
- More than 200 goods-laden trucks entered Bangladesh through Hili each day.
- Recent traffic
- Only about 20 to 30 trucks entered Bangladesh through Hili in recent months.
- Major exports
- Wheat, green chillies, bran and stone were among the major exports from India.
- Major imports
- Biscuits and packaged food products were imported from Bangladesh, at a considerably lower volume.
- Additional requirement
- Traders were required to book truck slots through a designated state government portal.
- Restart date
- The exporters have not announced when operations will resume.
Quotes
Bikash Mondal
Secretary of the Hili Exporters’ & Customs Clearing Agents’ Association
“As far as the commercial competition is concerned, we are falling behind other land ports of Bengal for certain reasons. That is why the decision was taken unanimously, and we have no complaints against anyone.”
telegraphindia.com
“I have been staying at the parking area for two days. There is still no information about when we will be allowed to enter Bangladesh. Until exports resume, we have no option but to stay here.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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