Thaindian News

Agartala, Dec 19 (IANS) The indefinite shutdown called by Indian exporters and importers demanding development of infrastructure along the India-Bangladesh border badly hit trade for the second day Monday, officials here said.

“Trade was badly affected as hundreds of trucks were stranded on either side of the Akhaurah checkpost near here due to the shutdown,” a customs official here said.

Agartala Exporters-Importers Association (AEIA) general secretary Habul Biswas told reporters: “We have been demanding improvements in infrastructure, especially dumping grounds for goods along the border. But the government is taking a long time to provide these basic facilities. However, we are negotiating with the government to solve the problems at the earliest and to resume trade soon.”

“Over 200 trucks filled with Bangladeshi goods have been stranded on the other side of the border and are unable to cross the Akhaurah land customs station (LCS) in view of the strike in Tripura,” the custom official said.

Situated just adjacent to the heart of Agartala, Akhaurah LCS is the most important international trading land port in northeast India with an average of 200 Bangladeshi trucks loaded with goods for export coming to Tripura every day.

“Due to the strike and closure of Indo-Bangla trade through Akhaurah LCS, the central and Tripura governments would lose Rs.two million as customs duty and sales tax every day,” said Biswas.

According to Biswas, on an average, business worth Rs.15 million takes place through the Akhaurah LCS every day.