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Hili - the second largest land transit port remains underdeveloped

From Our Correspondent
SIRAJGANJ. Dec 23: The Hili land transit port in Dina Jpur district is neglected even after earning crores of taka as revenue. The area is deprived of all trends of development.
It is learnt that the Hili land port is the second largest land transit port of the country situated in the bordering belt with India. During 1993-94 fiscal year revenue amounting to Tk 8.23.68.021 was collected and in 1994-95 fiscal year the amount of revenue collection raised to Tk 16.97.52,432 despite having to cross many hurdles including plague disease in epidemic from in India and approval of importing only eight items of commodity through this land port. Due to the mentioned problems target of earning revenue amounting to Tk 20 crore could' not be achieved.
The Hili port faces many infrastructures! setbacks. The physical infrastructure of the area can not meet the minimum requirements of customs. police and transit passengers. in absence of warehouses. the valuable imported goods are kept under open sky for days together. There is no weighing machine which causes troubles. The goods, for export and import are not properly handled it is alleged, causing loss to the merchants and causes fall in revenue collection as well.
The only building lor customs official s cannot maintain spaces for proper checking of hundreds of passengers crossing through the1 check point. Passports are checked by the police officials in a small room. The passengers are to wait for hours in que as there is no shade or waiting room for the transit passengers.
Sanitation facility is not at all adequate. Women and
children passengers are the worst sufferers. Sometimes. Jke passengers take shelter in the police camps which makes the situation even more clumsy.
The roads of Hili land port are not suitable for heavy vehicles. The heavy trucks from Indian side of 20 tons and 10-wheel trucks of 40 tons cause severe damage to the roads. The asphalted roads have been damaged at' many
the passengers. Which was supposed to be deposited at the bank counter. The attendants of the passengers were found to purchase fruits from Indian side of the border openly crossing the no-man’s land in presence of BDR men. Some of the incoming and outgoing passengers alleged that the customs and police personnel do not extend equal treatment to the passengers. Unofficial transac-
points. Consequently, ditches have developed in almost all the roads of Hili. In absence of bank facilities the importers and exporters are to go to Bogra or Dinajpur about 60 miles away from Hili for monetary transaction and to open the Letter of Credit (LC).
The. Hili railway station was established in the British regime and considering importance, it was upgraded to A category. But at present the situation is different. The railway station falls to provide amenities for the passengers. Only about a year ago. a train mishap at Hili station claimed at least 60 lives. Goods for export and import carried by train are kept on open platform as there is no warehouse.
While this correspondent visited Hili transit land port some irregularities were observed. A section of customs staff were found to collect money for travelling tax from
tion of money is 'allegedly an open secret here. A team, leaving for India, comprising of about seven members told this corresponded that they are carrying few items, officially not allowed to carry, by satisfying the staff. Passengers without passport were found to cross the border as well through the southern part of Hili station. Of course, this cost people some brides. Practice of changing currency notes were also visible at Hili bazar.
A source unwilling to be exposed told this correspondent that a large number of passengers cross the border through Hili transit point by valid passport and forged visa. Local police and customs officials, however, denied the matter. But the matter needs thorough investigation.
The Hili land transit port may be turn into a satisfactory revenue collecting point if the existing problems are solved by developing the area.