The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Shipping Ministry recommended the government to reopen the immigration services at Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj, which has remained suspended for nearly three years. The parliamentary watchdog made the recommendation at its 51st meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban with its chairman Maj. (Retd.) Rafiqul Islam, Bir Uttam in the chair, said a press release. Read more: Parliament reconstitutes six standing committees The people of the country’s northwestern region are facing problems in travelling to India through Sonamasjid-Mehandipur route as the immigration services in Sonamasjid land port was shut on March 15, 2020 amid the global outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, but hasn’t opened yet. Now the travellers need to cross a long way to enter India through the Benapole immigration check post, which cost them extra money and time. Besides, the committee suggested the ministry to connect the Payra port with Dhaka and other river ports for conducting commercial activities, and collect the necessary number of dredgers to protect the navigability of the river channels to this end. The parliamentary body put emphasis on saving energy and use of solar systems in the land ports. It also recommended resolving the border related problems through discussions with the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Read more: Parliamentary committee gets 2 more months to review media employees bill Committee members Mazaharul Hoque Prodhan (Panchagarh-1), Ranajit Kumar Roy (Jashore-4), Mahfuzur Rahaman (Chattogram-3), Dr. Shamil Uddin Ahmed Shimul (Chapainawabganj-1) and SM Shahjada (Patuakhali-3) attended the meeting.  

After eight days of suspension owing to Durga puja, trade resumed via the Sonamasjid land port of Chapainawabganj on Saturday. Abdur Rashid, general secretary of Sonamasjid Land Port C&F Agents’ Association, said that trade via the port was suspended from September 30 to October 7 following Durga Puja vacation and weekly government holidays.   “Export and import of goods via the port has restarted. Vehicles coming from India with goods have started entering the port since this morning,” said Rashid. Read: Trade via Sonamasjid land port to remain suspended for 8 days

Export-import activities between Bangladesh and India via the Sonamasjid land port will remain suspended for eight days, on the occasion of Durga puja, port authorities said on Thursday. Abdur Rashid, general secretary of Sonamasjid Land Port C&F Agents Association, said that trade activities will remain closed from Friday to October 7, including weekly holidays, on the occasion of Durga puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community. Port activities will resume on October 8, he said. However, loading and unloading activities of imported goods at the port will remain normal during this period.

All import and export activities between Bangladesh and India through the Sonamasjid land port will remain suspended for four days during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. Abdur Rashid, general secretary of the Sonamasjid Land Port C&F Agents Association, said that trade activities will remain suspended from July 9 to 12 and resume on July 13.  

The export-import activities at Sonamasjid land port resumed on Wednesday after four days of suspension due to Eid-ul-Azha holiday.

The export-import activities at Sonamasjid land port remained suspended for four days from August 1 on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims.