Oxygen import from India resumes through Benapole port after more than two months

Supply of oxygen from India through Benapole port resumed yesterday after two months of suspension following oxygen shortage in the neighbouring country.

Sources at Benapole Port said 190 metric tonnes of oxygen was imported from India yesterday.

India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce Director Matiar Rahman said Indian exporters stopped supply of oxygen to Bangladesh after the Indian government suspended export of the gas on April 22 this year to address the needs of Covid-19 patients in India.

As the Covid-19 situation in India improved a bit, the export company started supplying oxygen to Bangladesh, he said.

Matiar Rahman said the demand for oxygen currently is increasing in Bangladesh as the coronavirus infection has reached a terrible level in the country.

The oxygen consignment was unloaded last night immediately after completing customs operations as it was on the emergency supply list, he added.

Benapole Land Port Director (Traffic) Abdul Jalil said the concerned officials have been asked to expedite the shipment of oxygen from the port.

Customs sources at the land port said every month around 30,000 metric tonnes of oxygen was imported from India through Benapole before the export ban.

Read More: Oxygen supply from India to Bangladesh remains suspended