A container train service was launched at Benapole land port on Sunday, in an effort to expedite export-import trade between Bangladesh and India.
Azizur Rahman, commissioner of Benapole Customs House (BCH), inaugurated the container train service. On the first day, a train comprising 50 containers entered Bangladesh through the land port around 12pm.
The BCH authority drew the attention of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to mismanagement of syndicate members at Benapole and exorbitant serial charge at the Indian side and urged to launch a container train service there.
Responding to the proposal, the NBR allowed launching container train service and informed the Indian Commerce Ministry over the issue in a letter.
India welcomed the move and made necessary arrangements.
Mofizur Rahman Sujan, president of C&F agents association at the port, the trade relations between two neighbouring countries will gain momentum thanks to the initiative.
If a container terminal is set up at Benapole port, the export-import trade through will be two times higher, causing a hike in the revenue flow to the government treasury, he added.
Benapole Customs Commissioner Azizur Rahman also came up with the same remarks.
The landport entered into a new era thanks to the initiative, he added.