The interim government on Thursday announced the complete closure of three land ports and suspension of operational activities of another along the Bangladesh-India border in an effort to save taxpayers’ money and ease burden on government’s expenditure.
The approval came in principle at the meeting of the Council of Advisers held with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in the chair at his office.
Three land ports -- Chilahati Land Port in Nilphamari, Daulatganj Land Port in Chuadanga and Tegamukh Land Port in Rangamati -- are being shut down as per the decision while suspending operations at Balla Land Port in Habiganj.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy after the meeting.
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“You know the politicians from the border areas sometimes brought approval of such land ports under political consideration but as such there has been no trade. It creates an extra burden of cost for the government,” Press Secretary Alam said.
He said a committee had worked on this to look into as taxpayers’ money was being spent with officials being posted there.
Earlier, the government committee recommended the complete closure of three unprofitable and inactive land ports and the suspension of operational activities at another port.
Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad also spoke at the briefing.