Trade thru' Burimari Land Port to remain shut for 10 days from June 5

Import and export activities through Burimari Land Port in Lalmonirhat will remain suspended for 10 days from June 5 on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

The suspension follows a mutual agreement between exporters, importers, customs clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents, and business representatives from both Bangladesh and India. The decision was conveyed through an official letter signed by ASM Niaz Nahid, general secretary of the Burimari C&F Agents Association.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Niaz Nahid said, "Every year, trade activities through Burimari are temporarily halted during major religious festivals. This year is no different. All relevant authorities on both sides of the border have been informed well in advance to avoid any confusion."

Although trade will be halted, cross-border movement of individuals with valid passports and visas will continue through the Burimari immigration checkpoint, he added.

The authorities on both sides, including the Department of Agricultural Extension, Burimari Duty Station, the traffic division of the land port, the Immigration Police, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been notified. On the Indian side, the Changrabandha Land Port authorities, local C&F associations, and trade bodies were also informed.

Burimari Land Port is one of the key trading gateways between Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India -- particularly for goods moving to and from West Bengal, Assam, and the northeastern states. On average, over 300 trucks pass through the port daily, carrying stone chips, fruits, fertilisers, food grains, and construction materials.

Several traders expressed concern that the 10-day suspension might delay deliveries of perishable goods and industrial raw materials.

"We tried to expedite a few shipments before the closure begins," said Shamim Ahmed, a local importer. "But many Indian trucks have already started reducing trips as they anticipate congestion before the port shuts down," he said.

Rashedul Islam, revenue officer at Burimari Land Port, said that while no import-export activities will take place during this period, internal operations such as customs office duties, document processing, and basic maintenance work will continue.