The government of Bangladesh has launched an initiative to expand the Burimari Land Port, aiming to enhance services for passport holders and boost trade efficiency. This move involves the acquisition of 60.89 acres to develop the port’s infrastructure, signaling a significant step in its expansion. The local administration has already begun the land acquisition process for a project named ‘Expansion and Passenger Terminal Development of the Land Port’. Once completed, this project promises to transform the land port into a state-of-the-art facility. This initiative is part of the government’s strategy to increase export-import activities with neighboring countries, particularly India. It is anticipated that the expanded infrastructure will significantly elevate the port’s capabilities, facilitating increased trade between Bangladesh, India, and other neighboring nations. ‘Burimari Express’ to be inaugurated by PM on Dec 1 The port, currently spanning 11.15 acres, has been operating at full capacity since its inception. Its existing infrastructure includes an academic building, three digital weigh bridges, a fire hydrant system, a workers’ shed, storage sheds of various capacities, transhipment areas, and open yards. Deputy Commissioner of Burimari Customs, Abdul Alim, highlighted that the project’s completion will not only bring socio-economic benefits to the area but also generate employment opportunities, reducing challenges faced by passport holders and traders. Burimari land port shut for 6 days amid workers’ strike State Minister for Shipping, Khalid Mahmud, projected the establishment of a world-class land port in Lalmonirhat within three years. Additionally, Md Gias, assistant director of Burimari Port, emphasized the modernization’s role in streamlining passenger and port operations, which is expected to enhance revenue generation and combat irregularities and smuggling activities.

Three Bangladeshi students, who returned home from India through the Burimari land port, have tested positive for coronavirus. Lalmonirhat Civil Surgeon Dr Nirmalendu Roy on Sunday said samples collected from the students would be sent to Dhaka for tests to find out if they had been infected by the Indian variant. The students have been kept in institutional quarantine under the supervision of the district administration at a hotel in Burimari. Also read: Bangladesh sees only 363 new Covid cases as sample testing falls amid Eid Patgram Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Saifur Rahman said the students are doing well. “Their samples will soon be sent to IEDCR for testing,” he said. Bangladesh has kept all its borders with India shut since April 26 as the neighbouring country grapples with the new variant of the virus that has infected millions and claimed thousands of lives. Also read: Bangladesh extends lockdown until May 23 Many Bangladeshi students and patients got stuck in India during the border closure. But they are being allowed to return home with the approval of the authorities concerned and on condition of undergoing mandatory quarantine after entering the country. Until Sunday afternoon, 202 people returned through the Burimari land port. Of the returnees, 83 are currently staying in quarantine at five residential hotels and 101 are in Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital. Also read: DGHS urges holidaymakers to return to Dhaka after 14 days Thirty-five of them were released by the upazila administration after they tested negative for the virus.

The export-import activities through Burimari land port  in Lalmonirhat will remain suspended for six days from Wednesday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of  the Muslims. Ruhul Amin Babul, president of the Burimari Land Port Importers and Exporters’ Association and chairman of Patgram Upazila Parishad, confirmed the matter on Tuesday morning. Read:Benapole Port to remain shut for 3 days According to Burimari Land Port sources, the announcement came from a joint meeting of Burimari Land Port Importers-Exporters Association and C&F Association. Trade activities through Burimari Land Port will remain suspended from May 12 to May 17. The land port activities will resume  on May 18. Burimari Land Port Immigration Police Officer Sub-Inspector (SI) Anwar Hossain said, "passengers with passports can cross the border from 9 am to 3 pm with the permission of the High Commission or NOC if there is no instruction to stop immigration." However, those who will return from India have to stay in official quarantine for 14 days.  

Sixty-one Indian truck drivers, who were stranded at Burimari land port in Patgram upazila, have finally returned home after 39 days.