India’s shipments to Bangladesh through Petrapole, the largest land port in South Asia, have not revived even after the new government led by Tarique Rahman has taken charge in Dhaka. This has left the trucking industry in deep worry amid huge losses.
After a mass uprising in July 2024 toppled the Sheikh Hasina government, the number of trucks entering Bangladesh each day through the Petrapole-Benapole border has almost halved.
Rahman was sworn in as the new Prime Minister in February, after his Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s landslide win in the country’s first election held after the student-led uprising caused Hasina’s Awami League government to be ousted.
Wary exporters
During July 2024, 500-550 trucks were entering Bangladesh each day at Petrapole, a vital gateway for trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh. This number fell to 275-300 at the end of 2024.
“The number of trucks that entered Bangladesh on April 16 stood at 295, while it was 282 on April 15. So we are not seeing any improvement in shipments, which had fallen sharply around one-and-a-half years ago,” says Karthik Chakraborty, Secretary, Petrapole Clearing Agents’ Staff Welfare Association.
“Mostly due to the prevailing difficult financial conditions in Bangladesh, Indian exporters are not getting large consignments. This is why trade continues to take a hit, despite a new government taking charge in the neighbouring country,” he adds.
Through this land port, about 80 km from Kolkata, in the North 24 Parganas district, Bangladesh imports raw cotton, iron, plastics, chemicals, onion and perishable commodities, among others, while India imports leather items, shoes, cotton rack, jute goods and fish.
As much as 30 per cent of India’s trucking industry is dependent on trade with Bangladesh. With export shipments to the neighbouring country remaining low, the trucking industry is facing staggering losses.
“Bangladesh’s economy remains under strain. This is why Indian exporters are wary of likely payment delays or defaults. Shipments through Petrapole remain low. It is badly affecting our business,” says Sajal Ghosh, Secretary, Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators’ Association.
Hike in parking fee
Chakraborty of the Petrapole Clearing Agents’ Staff Welfare Association expresses concern over the “forceful implementation” of the newly introduced Land Port Management System (LPMS) by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI), alongside the “excessive” parking charges at ICP Petrapole.
“After the implementation of the Suvidha Vehicle System, exporters are already paying substantial fees for booking parking slots on the LPAI premises, along with a permitted 48-hour window for cargo movement. However, even when exporters have completed all documentation and formalities on time, delays occur due to factors beyond their control. Despite this, exporters are being compelled to pay additional parking charges beyond 48 hours. This is completely unjustified,” Chakraborty says.
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Published on April 20, 2026