JESSORE. Mar 2: The decision of government, announced recently to form Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA) with all land ports of the country including that of Benapole. for their control from centre has triggered dissension among all involved in Benapole-based export and import traded

According to information, they have reportedly welcomed government decision to form BLPA for which they were fighting since long.

But at the same time, they have also expressed concern about how quickly and effectively problems of Benapole Land Port will be dealt with under the proposed BLPA-if its central office is set up in Dhaka.

According to statistical report. at present 90 per cent of total trade between Bangladesh and India is being carried through Benapole Land Port. Rest 10 per cent is being transacted through other points including Darsana, Vomra. Sona Masjid) Hili. Burimari. Akh-aura and Tamabil.

So from business point of view separate land port authority for Benapole deserves to be considered. Though nothing

has yet been known about body structure of BLPA, the local chamber of commerce and industries. Benapole Land Customs C&F Agents Association, importer-exporter and business magnets have reacted to this decision. The arguments labelled by them in support of their reactions say that if office of BLPA is established in Dhaka to conduct affairs of all land ports from there it will create problems for Benapole. Its export and import will suffer adversely affecting revenue earnings.

Presently national earnings from Benapole port is 500 crores per year.

Situation of Calcutta one of the biggest industrial cities in India is closest to Benapole. ■ being only 80 kilometre in distance.

Besides, it Is connected with better facilities of communication and this is the factor that attracts all to prefer this land port to any of the country.

In careful consideration of this record and despite all opposition. government decided to reopen Jessore-Benapole railway shortly for shipment of imported cargo.

Meanwhile, strength of per-

sonnel of Customs Department at Benapole. has been enlarged. Office of Commissioner Customs. has been set up at Jessore much ago.

Long pending construction work of truck terminal at Benapole has begun. Capacity of warehouses has been extended to accommodate mounting imported cargo. By-pass road at Benapole is due to start soon. These facilities are not available in any land port of the country.

Demand for raising Benapole to a full pledged land port by forming Benapole Land Port Authority by local people is a history of long struggled.

It was suppressed during the previous government. Now as port of political commitment, the present government has announced the formation of BLPA.

Benapole Port in now controlled from Mongla Port Authority (MPA). It is 150 kilometres away from here Involving much time and extra-expense.

All concerned need to go all the way from here to Mongla in case of any problems.

So. it will bring no material benefit to Benapole Port If the office of BLPA is set up In Dhaka.

This problem can easily be removed if a separate land port authority for Benapole is set up or central office of proposed BLPA is located at Jessore.

Immediate attention of the government is drawn to this issue.