Benapole port trade restarts on Saturday, easing pressures on India-Bangladesh supply chains disrupted by Durga Puja holidays.
Benapole port trade resumes today, marking the end of a five-day suspension in India Bangladesh Benapole port operations that halted vital cross-border commerce during the Durga Puja festival.
Resumption Details and Initial Operations
Benapole port trade resumes at 9am on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The restart follows a closure from September 28 to October 2, 2025, due to the Durga Puja holidays observed by traders on both sides of the India-Bangladesh border.
Shamim Hossain, director of Benapole Land Port, confirmed the resumption. He stated that export and import activities will resume from October 4 after the holiday in India for Durga Puja. Internal operations at the Benapole Customs House continued during the suspension, allowing clearance of goods and return of Indian trucks.
In the first two hours after reopening, 10 trucks carrying Indian goods entered Bangladesh through the port. No Bangladeshi exports crossed into India during that period. Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of the Benapole C&F Agents Staff Association, noted the smooth start. He said: “As per the decision of traders from both countries, import and export operations were suspended from September 28 to October 2 due to Durga Puja. Activities resumed at Benapole port from this morning.”
The Benapole land port, located in Sharsha Upazila of Jashore district, serves as the primary gateway for overland trade between India and Bangladesh. It connects to India’s Petrapole port in West Bengal, just 80km from Kolkata. Daily traffic typically involves 200 to 250 trucks carrying export goods from Bangladesh, though Indian-side clearances often limit this to 100 to 150 vehicles, leading to occasional backlogs.
Historical Context and Port Significance
Benapole port operations began in February 2002 after its declaration as a land port on January 12, 2002. It handles about 90% of Bangladesh’s land-based imports from India, including cotton, chemicals, motor vehicles, machinery parts, food grains, and spices. The port spans 61.7 acres with a storage capacity of 40,000 metric tonnes and employs over 2,000 handling labourers.
Official data from the Bangladesh Land Port Authority highlights Benapole’s role in regional connectivity. The authority oversees 16 active land ports, with Benapole contributing the largest share to bilateral trade volumes. In fiscal year 2024-2025, cross-border movements through Benapole exceeded previous records, driven by improved road links like the Padma Bridge.
India Bangladesh Benapole port operations restart October events like this year’s holiday suspension underscore the port’s vulnerability to seasonal disruptions. Past closures, such as those in June 2025 due to National Board of Revenue strikes or August 2024 amid political unrest, have similarly impacted flows. During the recent five-day halt, internal customs processing continued, preventing full stagnation but delaying external exchanges.
Traders anticipate a quick ramp-up. Rahman added that the joint decision by Bangladesh and Indian associations ensured minimal long-term effects. Port authorities report no major backlogs as of 4:35pm on October 4, 2025, with processing times averaging under 24 hours for cleared vehicles.
Economic Impacts on Bilateral Trade
Benapole port trade resumes bolsters a corridor valued at billions annually. Bangladesh exports jute products, ceramics, garments, and fish to India, while imports focus on essentials like yarn and vehicles. The five-day pause affected an estimated 1,000 trucks, based on average daily volumes, though exact losses remain unquantified in official releases.
The Bangladesh Ministry of Shipping, through the Land Port Authority, emphasises Benapole’s contribution to GDP. It generates substantial revenue via taxes, levies, and fees, with the government collecting millions in duties yearly. For instance, passenger facilities charges at Benapole are now handled online, streamlining non-cargo revenue.
On the Indian side, Petrapole mirrors these dynamics. Official statements from West Bengal border authorities align with the resumption, confirming coordinated restarts. The joint holiday observance reflects strong trader coordination, preventing unilateral halts that plagued earlier incidents.
In broader terms, India Bangladesh Benapole port operations restart October 2025 aids supply chain stability. Disruptions like this highlight needs for diversified routes, such as rail enhancements under the Bangladesh Regional Connectivity Project. Yet, the port’s efficiency—handling 7,000 to 8,000 tonnes of imports daily—positions it as indispensable.
Challenges and Infrastructure Developments
Ongoing issues persist despite the restart. Traffic congestion remains common, with tailbacks from Indian clearances stranding up to 100 trucks nightly. The Bangladesh Land Port Authority has invested in security upgrades, including CCTV at Benapole, to mitigate risks.
A new cargo vehicle terminal, slated for October 2025 launch, promises relief. Officials state it will ease unloading, reduce open-air storage, and cut wait times from days to hours. Electricity connections are finalised, enabling full operations soon after Benapole port trade resumes.
Labour supports these efforts. The port employs 123 administrative staff and 242 security personnel, including armed units. Handling workers, numbering 4,000 in peak seasons, ensure swift cargo movement post-holidays.
Benapole port operations restart October also coincides with seasonal peaks. Post-Puja demand for Indian goods, like textiles ahead of winter, could spike volumes by 20% within weeks, per historical patterns from the National Board of Revenue.
Why This Matters in South Asia
The resumption stabilises trade flows critical to South Asian economies. Benapole handles 90% of India-Bangladesh overland exchanges, supporting livelihoods in border regions and national industries. Delays ripple to garment factories in Dhaka and textile mills in Kolkata, affecting millions.
In a region where land ports drive 60% of intra-SAARC commerce, such restarts prevent inflationary pressures on essentials. Bangladesh’s import reliance on Indian grains and chemicals underscores the corridor’s role in food security. For India, steady exports sustain employment in West Bengal’s logistics sector.
This event reinforces bilateral ties amid geopolitical shifts. Coordinated holidays demonstrate maturity in joint management, contrasting past unilateral actions like April 2025 transshipment curbs. As South Asia pushes connectivity via BIMSTEC initiatives, Benapole’s reliability fosters investor confidence.
Background: Evolution of Benapole as Trade Hub
Benapole evolved from a customs station in the 1980s to a full port in 2002. Early challenges included manual handling and limited storage, but upgrades have boosted capacity. The 1997 Customs House establishment and 2009 immigration facilities marked key milestones.
Trade volumes grew post-Padma Bridge, with annual imports hitting 5 million tonnes by 2024. Disruptions, from strikes to festivals, occur yearly, but resumptions like today’s maintain momentum. Official portals, such as the Bangladesh Trade Portal, provide real-time regulatory updates, aiding compliance.
The port’s strategic location—mere kilometres from major Indian hubs—ensures dominance. Future rail integrations could double efficiencies, per Ministry of Shipping plans.
What’s Next for Benapole Operations
Authorities monitor flows closely in coming days. Full normalisation expected by mid-week, with exports ramping up. The new terminal launch in late October will address congestion, potentially increasing daily clearances by 50 trucks.
Traders call for digital enhancements to weather future halts. Joint India-Bangladesh committees plan quarterly reviews to preempt issues. As volumes rise, Benapole port trade resumes sets a positive tone for fiscal 2025-2026 targets.
Benapole port trade resumes strengthens the India-Bangladesh economic lifeline, promising sustained growth.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 4th, 2025
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