CHAPTER_- V
*** CONSTR.AINTS:
INFR_ASTR_UCTUR_E, SECUR_ITY AND POLITICS **
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and Politics
In the previous chapters we discussed about the rationale for greater
cooperation in the region. By developing well coordinated transport network,
both India and Bangladesh along with Bhutan and Nepal will be benefited.
This will have multiplying effect on the economy and society of the region.
For example, investment both domestic and foreign will increase which will
increase the availability of more employment in the region. Internal
disturbances in the region will be minimized in the long run. In sum it will be
a win-win situation for all. However, irrespective of these potential benefits,
there are several roadblocks in the way. A number of factors hinder the
smooth flow of traffic between India's North East and Bangladesh. These can
be broadly divided into two major categories. One is at the ground level that
is at the border crossing point and another is at the policy level. In this
chapter these issues are discussed in two sections. The first section deals with
lack of adequate infrastructure at the Land Custom Stations (LCS) in India's
North East and Bangladesh. This section has been written on the basis of data
and information collected by the author's personal visit to Bangladesh and
India's North East especially the LCSs. Some facts are also collected from the
internal documents of Bangladesh Entrepreneur Institute (BEl). The second
section discuss about the political and security concerns for developing well
coordinated transport and related infrastructure in the region. The data tables
for this chapter have been provided at the end of the chapters.
5.1 Infrastructure at the Land Customs Station
One of the prominent factors is the infrastructural facilities available at the
Land Custom Station (LCS). Infrastructure here refers to both physical and
institutional infrastructure. Unless this infrastructural bottleneckness have
Constraints: I rifrastructure, Security aruf PoCitics
been resolved it is very difficult to have closer economic relations between
India and Bangladesh in general and North East India and Bangladesh in
particular. The present chapter is an attempt to identify the infrastructural
bottleneckness at the LCS where actual trade is undertaken at the border. For
this purpose an assessment of the infrastructural facilities have been
undertaken for most of the LCS in the India's North East bordering
Bangladesh. The facts and figures have been collected by author's personal
visit as well as literature available in this area. The trade data has been
collected from the Commissioner of Customs, Shillong. The LCS which are
taken into considerations are:· Srimantapur- Bibirbazar; Agartala- Akhaura;
Ranghnabazar- Juri/Batuli ; Sutarkandi - Seola; Karimganj - Zokiganj; Dawki
- Tamabil; Bholaganja - Chatak; Borsora - Borsora; Gasuapara -
Gobrakora/Koraitoli; Dalu Nakugaon and Mahendraganj
Dhanua/Kamalpur.
5.1.1 Srimantapur- Bibirbazar
Srimantapur falls under Sonamura Subdivision of West Tripura district of
Tripura, India. It is located at a distance of 4 km from the Sonamura town and
63 km from Agartala, the state capital. The approaching road from Agartala to
this LCS is in good condition and comprised of NH 44 up to Bishramganj.
Road from Bishramganj to the LCS is in good condition. The widening of the
NH 44 is underway. The road connecting the LCS and the 'no mans' land
been widen enough to handle the traffic. Other infrastructural facilities are
not in good condition.
' Information for these LCSs was collected by author's personal visit and the documents of BEL Some of the LCSs could not be visited due to bad accessibility coupled with disturbances in the region during the author' visit to the region.
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security andPo[itics
Figure 5.1 Office of Srimantpur Land Custom Station
The phone line at the LCS is having erratic problems. The building of
the LCS is not good condition and having tin roof from which there are
leakages. This LCS is having no warehouse facility and no weighbridge as
well. When enquired, the Superintendent of the LCS told that the work on
weighbridge is on and it will be in place in a month. He further told that there
is a plan for drastic modernization of the LCS over a land area of
approximately17 acres. If this planned structure comes into being
Srimantapur may be the best LCS in the India's North East. The Deputy
Commissioner of Customs in-charge of this LCS told that there is much
potential in this LCS in comparison to the Agartala LCS. For this the land
acquisitions have almost finished and the work on this may be started in near
fu ture. Map 5.1 presents a graphical sketch of the Srimantapur LCS.
Constraints: Infrastrncture, Security arufCl'oCitics
Map 5.1
Srimantapur Land Custom Station
To Agartala 60kms
1 BSF l Guard
a-Mans Land To Sonamora Town (I Kms) I Kms to LCS
N
LCS& Weigh Bridge & Immigration Planned Building
Map not to scale
Table 5.1 and 5.2 presents the commodity wise export and imports
undertaken at the Srimantapur LCS in last 3 financial years. Ginger is the
product which is being consistently exported through Srimantapur LCS in the
last three years. Apart from that sanitary ware is one of the principal products
exported through this LCS. New products have. started making their way to
Bangladesh through this LCS which can be seen from the table 5.1. The total
exports through LCS have increased from Rs. 3930221 in 2004-05 to Rs.
5688435 in 2006-07. The prominent products among the new one are raw
material and skin.
Bibirbazar is the corresponding LCS in Bangladesh. It is located in
Kotwali Upazilla of Camilla district. It has a very bad approaching road and
no parking facilities are available. Bibirbazar is about 8 km from the Camilla
town and 104 km from Dhaka. Road condition up to Kalatabazar which is one
and half km short of the LCS is manageable (BEl document). But the last
stretch of the road to LCS and no mans land is horrible. As can be seen from
the Indian side, the road on the Bangladesh side is not surfaced and look like
a common country road which becomes a pool of mud in rainy season.
Constraints: Irifrastructure, Security aruf Po[itics
Further there is no space for unloading. The goods are unloaded on the road
itself. The road building work has been started and will be completed soon as
heard from the people sitting in the Srimantapur LCS. Phone facility is not
available in this LCS. There is a tubwell which fulfils the water need. There
are no weighbridge and warehouse. However for expansion plan the LCS has
60 acres of land for future use. According to the Chittagong Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (CCCI) study, the importance of Bibirbazar LCS is
enormous. This is based on the fact that Camilla Export Processing Zone
(EPZ) if developed properly taking into account the market prospects of
Tripura and adjoining landlocked states, can be a good interface for import
export business for both the sides of the border. Agro based products can be
exported to Bangladesh as raw material for the EPZ (Chowdhury, 2004). The
graphical representation of the Bibirbazar LCS can be seen from Map 5.2.
Map5.2 Bibirbazar Land Custom Station
Immigration Office
5.1.2 Agartala- Akhaura
Otlice of the Sub-inspector
Map Not to Scale
Agartala LCS is located at about 2 km from the Agartala town which is the
state capital of Tripura. It is just 2.5 km from the NH 44 which connects this
Constraints: Injrastrncture, Security anaPofitics
town to Guwahati. The connecting road is in good condition as far as current
traffic is concerned. This has to be widened to cater future traffic. However
road at the border crossing (no man's land) seems to be narrow where the
transhipment is conducted in this point. The picture above shows the
transhipment of goods at the no man's land. The office of the Customs and
immigration is in a very bad condition. Although a new building work is
finished it has not been transferred to the competent authority. Due to this the
staffs of customs and immigration are suffering much.
Figure 5.2 - Akhaura Land Custom Station
There is a weigh bridge but at a distance about 150 metres from the
road and the connecting way is not in good condition. State Bank of India has
opened one foreign exchange counter at the LCS to facilitate trade. All other
facilities like electricity, water and telephone are available. There is regular
bus service from Dhaka to Agartala although not many people are travelling
on this bus in contrast to the Kolkata-Dhaka bus services where the supply is
much less than the demand. Table 5.3 and 5.4 shows the volume of India's
export and import at the Agartala LCS respectively.
Co11 ·aints: Infrastructure, Security andPofitics
MapS. Agartala Land Cw 1m Station
------------------------------~
No-Mans Land To AgartalaTown (I Kms)
BSF j I LCS &
I New LCS Guard Immigration Building
(not in
[ eigh Bridge II Warehouse operation)
Map not to scale
The corresponding LCS in Banglad his Akhaura. It is located in south
east side of Brahmanbaria district of E 1gladesh. The LCS is located at
distance of 26 km from Brahmanbaria < :l 7 km from the Akhaura town.
There are two approach roads to the LC~ )ne from Dharkhar and the other
from Dhaka-Sylhet highway. Both nee widening and straightening and
culverts need to be improved. Road f m Akhura Rail Station and LCS
checkpoint is single-laned and in bad c< :lition. It is very difficult for two
trucks to cross each other. Agartala-Dha1 bus service is also not going very
well due to bad condition of the road. M; 5.4 presents graphical map of the
Akhaura LCS.
From Akhaura
MapS Akhaura Land Cu om Station
II Residence
Superintenc J Custom House
StatT Quarters
No Man·s L and
Mao Not to Scale
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security aruf Po{itics
Currently the bus takes about 5 hours from Dhaka to Agartala which
can be reduced to 3 hours if the roads are widened. Many traders have stated
the 17 kilometers stretch of road from Dharkhar to Akhaura Rail Station as an
impediment to increased exports through this LCS. This is a more or less
single lane road and needs to be widened and repaired. The 5 kilometer
stretch from the railway station to the LCS is also narrow and in rather poor
condition. Some earlier studies find that all trucks of a single consignment are
physically examined together; the BEl study found that the C&F agents often
overcome this problem even if all trucks are unable to arrive at the same time.
Clearly, the discretion leaves room for corruption by officers. Although
electricity and water facilities are there, no landline phone facilities are there.
There is no banking facility available at the LCS. The nearest bank is at
Akhaura railway station where VAT and other taxes can be paid. A bank
branch is necessary at the LCS. The issue of getting food samples tested has
been mitigated to some extend due to setting up of a food testing laboratory
in Guwahati. Previously, a Health Certificate had to be collected from Kolkata
after sending samples from each consignment (BEl documents).
5.1.3 Ranghnabazar- Juri/Batuli
Ranghnabazar is located near Dharmanagar city of Tripura. The LCS is at a
distance of about 4 km from the Dharmanagar town. But the LCS is located at
distance of 2.5 km from the no man's land. The LCS is connected with NH 44.
However the approach road to the export point is in very bad shape. New
wide road is currently being constructed. An integrated trade complex is also
being built. Trade takes place through a head loads over a bamboo bridge
over the Ranghnachera canal. A new bridge is in the pipeline but due to the
objection by the BDR the work has been stopped (BEl document).
The LCS has an office which operates from a very small temporary
shed at the border. Main LCS has also a small office with tin roof. Electricity is
not available at check post, but at the LCS electricity service is available.
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and Pofitics
Phone facility is not available at the LCS or the nearby areas. There is no
warehouse, parking and weighbridge at the LCS. The nearest bank for this
LCS is at Dharamgarh town. The tables 5.5 and 5.6 show India's export and
import data of last 3 years through Ranghnabazar LCS.
Batuli/Juri
The corresponding LCS on the Bangladesh side is Juri-Batuli. Batuli LCS is
under the Moulovibazar district. It is located on the east side of the
Moulovibazar district. Although Batuli is declared a LCS, however, there is no
permanent office for Customs. Customs activities including assessment are
accomplished at Juri, which is 23 km from Batuli checkpoint.
Batuli LCS is at a distance of 68 km from the Moulovibazar district
town from where Sylhet is at about 58 km. The present road condition is bad.
The repairing work is underway. From Moulovibazar, Batuli is to reach via
Kulaura, Juri and Fultala. The road between Juri to Fultala is about 17 km.
and the road condition is bad. At some stretches it is dilapidated, marked
with potholes and ditches, particularly a stretches of 2 km at the middle of
this road is in very deplorable condition. A portion of about 500 meter of this
2 km stretch is very low and gets submerged during rainy season. From
Fultala to Batuli check post, the distance is about 6 km. The first 3 km of the
road is paved but single. The finall km of the road leading to the check post
is of mud. As a result, truck even with 3 ton load can't ply on this road and
get bogged down in the mud in case of rain. Due to this bad road condition,
truckers or lorry drivers do not want to visit this LCS even with an offer of
premium fare. There are also two more routes to reach Batuli from Sylhet via
Juri. Both of these are under construction.
The second one is through Bianibazar, Baralekha and Juri. The
complete distance from Sylhet to Juri is about 80 km. The road from Sylhet to
Bianibazar (50 km.) already exists and is in good motorable condition. The
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security ana PoCitics
road from Bianibazar to Baralekha (14 km), is doubled and in very good
shape. However the road from Baralekha to Juri is under development.
The third route from Sylhet to Juri is the shortest one. The road is via
Fenchuganj and Kulaura. The road is being developed at some stretches and
newly constructed at some places. A bridge on the road at Fenchuganj over
the river Kushiara is being constructed. Altogether the distance from Sylhet to
Juri by this road would be about 60 km. If this route is completed, the distance
from Sylhet to Batuli LCS would be reduced by about 50 km. So the
development of this route should be expedited to facilitate harnessing the
export potential of Batuli LCS (BEl document).
There is absolutely no infrastructure except for two temporary bamboo
sheds. There is no electricity, land phone, warehouse, water, customs office
except for a tin shed. Further, there is no residence for staff. However, mobile
phone facility is available. There is no bank!ng facility even for domestic
purposes. The nearest banking facility available for paying VAT, duties, and
travel tax is at Kulaura, which is about 36 km from the checkpoint. In other
words, given the total lack of facilities, it may be valid to ask why anyone
from the Bangladesh side should be interested to trade through this LCS. It is
essential therefore to build some infrastructure at Batuli.
5.1.4 Sutarkandi- Seola
Sutarkandi is in Karimganj district of Assam. It is at a distance of 14 km. from
Karimganj town. The LCS is connected with NH 151 from Karimganj from
where NH 44 connects to other towns of the North East India. LCS is not
connected with railway but there is potential for rail linking of the LCS. The
road condition from Karimganj to the LCS is very good and wide. The LCS
has got good infrastructural facilities in comparison to other LCS in the North
East India. Electricity is available. Phone facility both for making local and
STD is available. Warehouse is undergoing construction. Weighbridge is
available. Construction of a big integrated trade complex has been completed
Constraints: Irifrastructure, Security ana Poutics
but not handed over to the competitive authority. However no branch of any
nationalized bank is functioning at present at LCS. The nearest bank for
international monetary transactions for export/import is at Karimganj (SBI &
United Bank). The Map 5.5 shows a graphical presentation of the Sutarkandi
LCS.
Map5.5 Sutarkandi Land Custom Station
Integrated trade Centre
Road from Karimganj No-Mans Land
BSF Check Post
LCS I Immigration
[, .--BS_F_O_ffi_tce---,
Map not to scale
The tables 5.7 and 5.8 show the export and import data of the trade
undertaken at the Sutarkandi LCS.
Sheola
Seola LCS is at Bianibazar Upazila of Sylhet district. Though the LCS's name
is Seola, but assessment, inspection and loading/unloading of goods take
place at Sutarkandi (Bangladesh) 4 km from the original Seola LCS. It is at
distance of about 50 km from Sylhet. 14 km from Bianibazar. The road
condition from Sylhet to Shola is poor especially Sheola Bridge to LCS station
is very poor. There is a broken culvert. The road communication and
infrastructural facilities at Sutarkandi checkpoint is very poor. The road
condition from Sylhet to Dubag is very good and spacious enough for two
trucks to cross each other at a time. However, the road from Dubag to
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security am{Po[itics
Sutarkandi is single and paved with some big potholes and ditches at some
places. It is very difficult for two trucks to cross each other on this road. One
truck has to remain standing while other crossing. This road has to be
developed for the easy movement of the vehicles.
This LCS has no warehouse facility, which creates problem for
importers to import any items other than bulk cargo like coal. This also deters
the prospective exporter to think of harnessing the potential of the LCS. The
custom station has no dumping yard under custom control. The land
presently being used as dumping ground is under the private ownership. It is
very low and can't be used in monsoon season. During the rainy season the
road from Dubag to Sutarkandi point is used as dumping ground aggravating
further the movement of vehicles through this single laned road. The LCS has
no shed and water facility. There is no parking or vehicle repairing facility at
the station or nearby vicinity.
There is no electricity in Sutarkandi - the functional LCS. The nearest
place where electricity is available is Dubag at a distance of about 4 km.
However electrification work is on and is expected to be completed soon.
There is no land phone facility at the functional LCS. Although
available at Dubag, the service is very poor. There is no fax or email service at
Dubag. Due to lack of telecommunication faCilities, the custom officials face
tremendous problems in communicating with higher authority at Sylhet in
case of any problem arising in assessment of goods.
There is no banking facility in Sutarkandi. As a result the local exporter
and importer and other businessman can't even perform their domestic
banking transaction and can't pay VAT and duties. Dubag Krishi Bank is at a
distance of 6 km. and Bianibazar Sonali Bank is a distance of 16 km. from the
LCS.
The customs authority has not its own permanent office building. It
maintains regular work by hiring a room from a local contractor but the
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security anaPoCitics
condition and space is not good/ adequate. There is no land for customs
authority. Land and a permanent office of customs is a basic minimum
requirement and is urgently required. Map 5.6 is the graphical presentation of
the Sheola LCS at Sutarkandi (Bangladesh).
Map5.6 Sheola Land Custom Station
I LCS
J (On Rent)
I Importer Office
Space for Loading & Unloading
(private)
~ I BDR I No Man's Land
Map Not to Scale
While major infrastructure is being built on the Indian side, some
strategic infrastructure such as warehouse and telecommunication facilities
should be built on the Bangladesh side immediately.
5.1.5 Karimganj - Zokiganj
Karimganj
Karimganj LCS is at Karimganj district headquarter of Assam, India. The LCS
is connected with NH 44 leading to Guwahati. But Nilmoni road (about 500
meter) in Karimganj leading to Steamerghat, which is the export point of the
LCS, needs to be improved and gravelled to facilitate smooth vehicular
movement for boosting export and import relations with Bangladesh through
Zokiganj.
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security andiPofitics
The distance of Shilchar, headquater of Cachar district of Assam is
about 60 km. from Karimganj while distance of Aizawl, Shillong, Agartala,
Imphal, Guwahati, Kohima from Karimganj is about 195 km., 220 km., 255
km., 280 km., 320 km. and 425 km. respectively. All the roads leading to these
cities are connected mostly by National Highways and the condition is good
for the current traffic except few patches. The tables 5.9 and 5.10 show India's
export and import data of last 3 years undertaken at Karimganj ferry station.
Zokiganj
Zokiganj LCS is one of the oldest LCS of Bangladesh. It is in Sylhet district
and a reverine custom station, situated on the River Kushiara. Presently
vessels can't come to the bank of the river due to low level of water during the
winter/dry season. The station is meant for both human and goods
movement.
At present Sylhet-Zokiganj route via Kaliganj is used by most of the
people and businessman to reach Zokiganj and the distance is 96 km. The
road condition is poor, dilapidated and single in some places. Repairing work
is underway.
Sylhet-Atgram-Zokiganj route reduces the distance between Sylhet and
Zokiganj by 17 km. Up to Atgram from Sylhet, the road is part of that Sylhet
KaJigonj- Zokiganj road. From Sylhet to Atgram the distance is 68 km. and
from Atgram to Zokiganj the distance is about 11 km. This 11 km. stretch is
paved but single and not spacious enough for two trucks cross each other at a
time. Potholes are there and some are very dangerous. This road if developed
will save the cost and time of import and export.
There is another proposed road from Zokiganj to Sylhet via Seola. The
total distance of the road will be only about 50 km. The road is under
construction but the pace is very slow. After the road work is completed, it
will ensure faster communication between Zokiganj and the divisional
headquarter, Sylhet as well as other cities of the country.
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and' PoCitics
The station has metalled road communication up to the no man's land.
Though single but two vehicles can cross each other as the road has enough
space to be developed further at both sides. The LCS has a warehouse but
very small. It requires to be extended in order to facilitate and handle
increased export and import through the station. The station has no
weighbridge and parking facilities and has no shed or godown.
Although the LCS is a recognized reverine route, there is no pontoon in
the river to facilitate anchor for barge, cargo ship or steamer, particularly in
winter or dry season when there is not enough water in the river hindering
them to anchor them at the bank.
The Zokiganj LCS has electricity but power failure is a common
phenomena. The LCS has both fixed telephone as well as mobile network. ISO
and fax facilities are also available at a walking distance.
The LCS has banking facility for paying VAT, Duty and Travel Tax. But
the international banking facility is available at Sylhet which is about 96 km
from the LCS. This is causing problem for the local exporter and importers.
The custom office has its own building and housing facility at the LCS. The
customs has its own land at the vicinity for further expansion.
5.1.6 Dawki- Tamabil
Dawki
Dawki is in Jaiantia Hills district of Indian state of Meghalaya. The nearest
towns are Shillong (84 km), state capital of Meghalaya, and Guwahati (182
km), state capital of Assam. LCS is connected with NH 40. If the roads were to
be straightened, both time and distance could be reduced. The distance from
Shillong to Guwahati is 103 kilometres. It has been suggested that this road
can be straightened, broadened and shortened to 60 kilometres. LCS is not
connected with railway and there is no potential for rail linking of the LCS.
The export point falls on the NH-40 coming from Shillong that links with
Sylhet of Bangladesh. There is also another road namely Dawki-Jowai (the
Constraints: I nfrastrncture, Security ancf Po[itics
headquarter of Jaintia Hills district and one of the major city of Meghalaya)
road is linked up to border point and has been declared as NH 40A. Though
this road is declared as National Highway but it is one of the worst roads in
the North East. The condtion of this road is very poor and narrow. The
bridges on these roads are so weak that the government has restricted to carry
loads exceeding 9 Metric Ton on the road. Both the roads require urgent
attention to help to accelerate bilateral trade through this LCS .
. The LCS has its own building with enough space. Electricity facilities
are good here. Telephone facilities are available here. There are private shed
available for oranges, gingers and vegetables. The LCS has parking space.
There is a weighbridge but it is not functional from the beginning. No attempt
has been made to repair this. State Bank of India has one branch at Dawki but
cannot deal with foreign exchange. The Map 5.7 is the graphical presentation
of the Dawki LCS followed by tables 5.11 and 5.12 showing the export and
import data at the Dawki LCS.
W•iti"g '''~~ Trucks
Map5.7 Dawki Land Custom Station
Land to be acquired for
Warehouse and dumping space
Immigration
Map Not to Scale
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security aruf Pofitics
Tamabil
Tamabil is situated at Goainghat Upazilla of Sylhet district. The distance from
Sylhet town to Tamabil via Jaintapur is altogether 54 km. The road is in very
good condition and spacious enough for two trucks to cross each other at a
time. The road is also strong enough for heavy trucks with huge loaded
tonnage. Approach road (of nearly 200 meter) up to the no man's land is also
good.
There is no warehouse facility at the LCS. For this reason import of
other commodities other bulk cargo like coal and stone is discouraged, as
those require longer inspection time and procedure and may require the
goods to stay for days together at the customs point. One weighbridge is there
but not functional. It has been reported that this weighbridge has been made
non-functional for motivated interests. Due to unavailability of weighbridge a
huge tax is evaded in connivance of some corrupt customs official and
unscrupulous businessmen by declaring less weight than actual. The LCS has
a dumping yard. Map 5.8 presents the graphical map of the Tamabil LCS. The
LCS has electricity but the service is very poor. There is no land phone facility
available at the LCS. However the LSC has mobile network but can't be
reached without antenna and the service is very poor. For this reason the
custom officials can't communicate their higher authority in Sylhet for instant
decision in case of value assessment and for administrative order. Due to lack
of ISO facility, the traders can't contact their counterparts across the border.
The weighbridge also does not function.
Sized Goods Go-down
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security aruf PoCitics
Map 5.8 Tamabil Land Custom Station
LCS
Private Dumping Yard
The LCS has no domestic and overseas banking facility. This is causing
problems to the traders. The nearest domestic bank is at Jaintapur which is 14
km. away from the LCS. However there is no international banking facility
available. For international banking transaction, the businessmen have to go
Sylhet. It causes serious problem for the local importers and potential
exporters which in turn is encouraging unofficial trade.
The custom has its own building and the condition of the office is all
right. Some new rooms have been built. Recently the land port has been
declared to be elevated to Commissionerate Office. Permission for acquiring
10 acres of land to develop it as land port has been sought. A feasibility study
was undertaken and the report of the study is already submitted to
Bangladesh Land Port Authority for further action.
5.1.7 Bholaganja- Chatak
Bholaganj LCS is in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. There is also
another active LCS at this area of Meghalaya named Shellabazar. The district
headquarter Shillong which is also the capital of the state is only 80 kms away
from the LCS.
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and Po[itics
The approach road connecting Bholaganj customs point with the
National Highway leading to Shillong is in very poor condition. The road
condition of Shellabazar is also very poor and not motorable. The highway at
some point is also very bad.
Though India has two separate LCS at the vicinity with a short
distance but Bangladesh has only one corresponding LSC with 3 different
checkpoints. Bholaganj and Shellabazar LCS have no electricity. There is no
telephone, warehouse and parking facility at the LCS. The nearest
international banking facility is available in Shillong. The non-tribal
businessmen wishing to use these LCS require taking permission from Tribal
District Council with office in Tura and Shillong. This permission is generally
issued on product wise with certain validity period and renewable thereafter.
The table 5.13 shows India's export figures at the Bholaganj LCS.
Chatak
The corresponding LCS in Bangladesh is Chatak Chatak LCS is located at the
Chatak Upazilla of Sunamganj district. There are three check points under
Chatak LCS namely Chella, Ichamati and Bholaganj (Bangladesh). All these
three check points are active for import of mainly limestone and boulder. The
distance from Sylhet to this LCS is 36 km. The road is in good condition and
double laned. However the connecting roads from the LCS to the check points
are muddy. Road construction work is going on after which it is expected that
this LCS may be able to export some products to India.
There is no owned office structure at the check points. However, the
LCS at Chatak has its permanent building. The custom officials visit the check
points from the LCS and stay at the importers office at unloading points
which is very close to the no man's land. None of the check point under
Chatak LCS is having warehouse, shed or parking facility. There is no
permanent office structure of the customs. There is no electricity at the check
points. However the LCS office has electricity. No telephone facility is
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and Po(itics
available at the check points not even mobile network but both land phone
and mobile service with ISD facility is available at the LCS.
Domestic banking facility is available at Chatak where VAT and duty
can be paid. For international banking the importers have to go Sylhet which
is 36 km away: As the road connecting Sylhet is in good condition, it hardly
takes one hour to reach. So banking is not much a problem here.
5.1.8 Borsora (India) - Borsora (Bangladesh)
Borosora (India)
Borosora is in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The headquarter of the
district is Shillong which is also the state capital at a distance of about 182 kms
from the LCS.
Borosora LCS is connected by PWD road, which is connected with
State Highway leading to Shillong. The condition of the State Highway is in
very bad shape. Recently a bridge over the river Ranikar in the Shillong
Borosora road has been constructed. In the absence of this bridge, goods and
people were carried by boats. Due to bad condtion of the road the state
government has banned trucks carrying more than 9 MT.
This LCS has no permanent custom office. Electricity is also not
available. The approach road from check point to the State Highway is very
poor. Road to Shillong is in weak condition. The LCS has no warehouse, shed,
weighbridge and parking facility. Telecommunication facility is also hot
available. The nearest point for telecommunication is at a distance of about 80
kms and the service remains disturbed for many days. No Banking facility for
international transaction is available here. The nearest banking facility
available is in Shillong. Table 5.14 shows India's export figure at the Borosora
LCS.
Borosora (Bangladesh)
Borosora is in the upazilla of Tahirpur of Sunamganj district of Bangladesh.
There is another customs checkpoint of the LCS named Cherargaon, which is
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security ami Po Cities
3 km from the Borosora checkpoint. Goods come through both the
checkpoints of Borosora and Cherargaon, which are under the same Borosora
LCS.
The distance from Sunamganj to the LCS is about 40 km. But the road
condition is very bad resulting frequent fatal accidents. Due to presence of
rivers on the way absence of ferry services, the traders have to load and
unload goods to and from the boat which needs additional cost of labourers.
There is no warehouse, shed, dumping yard, weighbridge and parking
facility at the LCS. There is electricity but the service is very poor. There are
no land phone facilities available. There is mobile network but it is very
difficult to get through. Due to this both custom as well as businessmen find
problem. There is no banking facility at the LCS or nearby even for domestic
purpose. Nearest bank is in Sunamganj at a distance of about 40 km. After the
assessment and inspection at the LCS the importer has to pay duty and VAT
at Sunamganj and then again go to the LCS for taking the delivery of goods.
Further, the customs office is working in a rented building. Good housing
facilities are not available to custom officials.
There is another checkpoint in Bangladesh side namely Dolura
bordering the same Meghalaya area. It bears more prospect for increasing
export and import between Meghalaya and Bangladesh. It has been declared
as a LCS in recent years. The point is about 15 km far from the other estuary
of River Surma flowing by Sunamganj town. This point can be made
operational as LCS. In the view of local businessmen on the Bangladeshi side,
if this point can be operational as LCS, the reported smuggling will be
reduced and as a result the government revenue collection will increase.
Further due to better communication and shorter distance, formal trade can
be started from this point and it will reduce the import export cost
substantially for the businessmen. The government of Bangladesh has already
proposed the state government of Meghalaya to recognise this LCS and take
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security aruf Poutics
necessary action to open a corresponding point on the Indian side. The
Meghalaya government also have shown positive response but due to strong
resistance of the exporters of Borosora point at Indian side who have already
made some permanent establishments there little progress has been made in
this direction. Further, a small bridge and a half km of metalled road have to
be built before the corresponding LCS is opened on the Indian side.
5.1.9 Gasuapara- Gobrakora/Koraitoli
Gasuapara
Gasuapara is in South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya whose headquarter is
at Baghmara. Actually there are two check posts under Gasuapara LCS
through which bilateral trade is undertaken. One is at Gasuapara which is
connected to Gobrakora. Another one Gandhibore at a distance of only 3 km
from Gasuapara which is connected to Koraitoli LCS of Bangladesh. But the
approach road from Gasuapara to Gandhibore is very bad.
Gasuapara LCS is located very near to the NH 62 of the Indian road
network with only 3 krn distance. However the condition of NH 62 is very
bad. It has about 100 wooden bridges which break quite often causing serious
problem in movement of goods. The approach road to the no man's land is in
deplorable condition and needs urgent attention. This LCS is only at a
distance of 15 km from Dalu another LCS of the same state which is directly
connected with NH 51 leading to Tura (46 km from Dalu) and further to
Shillong. If the proposed road connecting Gasuapara and Dalu is finished
then it will be a tremendous boost to the connectivity and trade along
Gasuapara LCS.
The LCS has no permanent building for official and residential
purpose. It has no electricity, telephone facility and weighbridge. The nearest
telephone facility is available at distance of 15 km; even the service is not
good and disconnected most of the time. The absence of warehouse act as a
discouraging factor in promoting trade. Some exporters from India have built
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and' Pofitics
their own accommodation, guesthouse, electricity generator, repairing
workshop etc. in nearby areas. Pure drinking water is also not available at the
LCS. The State Bank of India is having a rural branch at Gasuapara but its
transaction capacity is very limited. The nearest international bank facility is
available at Goalpara (Assam) at a distance of about 185 km from the LCS.
This cause unnecessary delay and cost. The table 5.15 shows India's export
data at the Gasuapara LCS.
Gobrakora/Koraitoli
As mentioned above there as two LCS in Bangladesh side corresponding to
the two check post under Gasuapara LCS. One is at Gobrakora and another at
Koraitoli. We will discuss the infrastructure available at these two LCS one by
one
Gobrakora
Distance from Mymensingh to Gobrakora is about 57 km via Phulpur,
Haluaghat. Road up to Haluaghat (51 km) is in double laned and is in good
condition. But the road from Haluaghat to Gobrakora (6 km) is in very bad
shape. The road is very narrow and two trucks can't cross each other at a
time. There are no warehouse, weighbridge. The absence of warehouse
hinders the Bangladeshi exporters from exporting finished products. The
goods have to be kept under the open sky without security guaranty. There is
no electricity at Gobrakora LCS. All the transactions are closed at 4 pm
turning the entire vicinity a place of deep dark. There is no telephone facility
at the LCS. Mobile network is available at distance of about 6 km from the
LCS. There is a Sonali Bank at Haluaghat for paying VAT and other taxes.
There is no permanent office of the customs. There is a tin, shed house
with two small rooms given by the local importers to use as customs office
and residence for its officials. The custom office at the LCS doesn't have the
power for the assessment of the goods. The customs official only issue
inspection certificate after which the importers have to go Mymensingh
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security aruf Po[itics
Superintendent Office for assessment. He then pays required VAT and duty
at Mymensingh. After that he has to again come back to the LCS to take
delivery of the goods. Further if there is any silly mistake during inspection or
assessment, then the importer's sufferings know no bound as there is no
scope to take or give clarification on the issue over telephone. To avoid this
kind of inconvenience, the status custom office at the LCS can be elevated for
the assessment of goods.
Koraitoli
The distance from Gobrakora LCS to the Koraitoli LCS is about 2 km. The
road is a mixture of pavement, herringbone and mud. During monsoon the
trucks get bogged down in mud. The road is very narrow and not suitable for
heavy trucks. The infrastructural facility is very poor at the LCS. There is no
warehouse, electricity, weighbridge, residential facility in the LCS. Nearest
banking facility is at Haluaghat. No telephone facility is available here. There
is no permanent land and building for custom office. The custom officials
posted here are not always available. The assessment procedure here is the
same as the Gobrakora LCS. Due to very bad infrastructure traders are
reluctant to use this LCS.
5.1.10 Dalu- Nakugaon
Dalu
Dalu comes under the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya whose
headquarter is at Tura, the second largest city of Meghalaya. Dalu LCS is at a
distance of 46 km from Tura and 385 km from Shillong. The state capital. Dalu
LCS is directly connected to the NH 51 leading to Tura and Shillong. The road
condition is good. The LCS is also connected with NH 62 (extension) by PWD
road. The condition of this PWD road is very bad for which the government
has put a ban on vehicles of more that 9 Metric Tons. This LCS remains
operational during November to June. During monsoon it goes out of
operation. The proposed extension road of NH 62 from Baghmara to
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and Pofitics
Mahendraganj via Dalu and Purakhasia requires immediate improvement as
it will touch all the LCS along this border belt namely Gasuapara, Dalu and
Mahendraganj.
Dalu LCS has a small custom building with electricity, telephone and
wireless system. However the LCS has no warehouse, weighbridge and
parking facilities. No banking facility is available at the LCS. Although there
is a State Bank of India at Berengapara, it is not well equipped to handle to
international transactions. For international transaction the traders have to go
Shillong or Guwahati which are at a distance of 385 and 270 km respectively.
Table 5.16 and 5.17 show India's Export and import volume at the Dalu LCS
in last three years.
Nakugaon
The corresponding LCS of Dalu at the Bangladesh side is Nakugaon.
Nakugaon is situated at Nalitabari upazilla of Sherpur district. It is at a
distance of about 109 km from Mymensingh via Phulpur, Sherpur and
Nalitabari. Road till Sherpur from Mymensingh (46 km) is in good condition
and double laned. Road from Sherpur to Nalitabari is paved but single.
However the road from Nalitabari to the Nakugaon (16 km) LCS is in very
bad condition. The first 10 km is little better than the last 6 km stretch which is
herringboned and marked with potholes.
Nakugaon LCS has a dumping yard but no weighbridge, warehouse
and parking facility available. Due to unavailability of weighbridge, the
Bangladeshi government loses revenue in case of bulk import of coal, bolder
and crushed stone. There is no electricity at the LCS. The nearest point where
electricity is available is at Nalitabari (16 km away from LCS). There is no
land phone facility at the LCS which causes much inconvenience both for
officials and businessmen. However LCS is under the mobile network. The
nearest banking facility is at Mymensingh at a distance of 46 km which
seriously hampers the business here. Customs has own office here but in very
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security aruf Pofitics
poor condition. The custom officers have very limited power for assessment
of goods which are normally done at Mymensingh.
5.1.11 Mahendraganj - Dhanua/Kamalpur
Mahendraganj
Mahendraganj LCS comes under the West Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya.
The LCS is connected by North East Council (NEC) road to the NH 37. The
NEC road is in very bad shape. The road is very narrow to accommodate two
trucks crossing each other. However after the expansion of NH 62, the road
connectivity will certainly be good. This LCS functions during pre and post
monsoon period and remains closed from July to October. It has no
permanent custom building. It has land phone facility but most of the time
STD/ISD service is out of order. This LCS has no warehouse or parking
facility. The State Bank of India located at Mahendraganj is not in position to
deal with moderately high value transaction. The nearest international
banking facility is available at Goalpara (Assam) which is about 165 km from
the LCS. Table 5.18 and 5.19 show India's Exports and imports volume at
Mahendraganj LCS.
Dhanua/Kamalpur
The corresponding LCS in Bangladesh side is Dhanua/Kamalpur.
20km 25 km 18 km 15km 22km 12 km
M ymensingh ..... Phul pur. .... N akia ...... .Sherpur. ........ Sribodi .......... Bakshiganj ...... D hanua/Kamalpur
Road from Mymensingh up to Sherpur (63 km) is good. After that up
to Bakshiganj (37 km) the road is single laned but paved. First 7 km of the
Bakshiganj-Dhanua/Kamalpur road is manageable but the last stretch of 5 km
is herringbone in deplorable condition. The road in this stretch is not strong
enough to handle heavy trucks. The LCS is not having warehouse facility,
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security ani Pofitics
weighbridge, parking and residential facility. Electricity is there but power
outage is frequent. There is no land phone service available. But it is under
good mobile network. Banking facility is available at Bakshiganj which is at a
distance of 12 km but for international banking facilities the traders have to go
Mymensingh.
5.2 Security and Political Concerns
If we go by the traditional concept of sovereignty, it is the duty of the national
government to ensure its border's safety resulting in the security and integrity
of the nation. This concept was practised strictly until recent years, we can
say till the end of cold war. But the forces of globalisation compelled the
nation-states to redefine the concept of sovereignty. In the western
hemisphere especially in Europe, borders slowly lost its traditional definition.
The borders started opening up for commercial purposes. Now, the situation
in Europe has been completely changed. The national borders do not exist for
most of the practical purposes. The rivalry among some of the European
nations ceased for the cause of economic benefit. Similar is the case of North
America, although the intensity and depth of integration is not as much as in
Europe. The formation of North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
resulted in high economic growth in the region. In South East Asia formation
of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) brought economic
prosperity and political stability in the region ravaged by war or war like
situation few decades back. But similar kind of arrangement is not bearing
fruit in the South Asian region. In spite of formation South Asian Association
for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) way back in 1985, trade among the
SAARC countries has remained at 4 to 5 percent. The political instability both
inter and intra-state continues. As we discussed the benefit of regional
transport cooperation the previous chapters, little progress has been made in
this direction. Most scholars are of the opinion that lack of serious political
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security aruf Po[itics
will is the main cause for delay in development of an integrated transport
network. According to Sob han (2000: 7) disruption in the AL TID network
originate in politics. Similarly, Rahmatullah (2007: 37) states that the "root
cause behind lack of effective transport cooperation between Bangladesh and
India is political". According to him the cost of non-cooperation is very high.
Sobhan describes even the "invocation of memories of ancient link is not
going to persuade the political leaders of countries served by AL TID to
reconnect themselves with their historic neighbours". For this reason, South
East Asian countries have little knowledge about the region called South Asia.
Geographically we are neighbours but there exists huge distance in terms of
information about each other. For example, Myanmar was closely integrated
with South Asia during British period. But, it has become remote from its
western neighbours.
Security concerns and lack of strong political will are the major
software component of the larger system. The hardware part being the
infrastructural constraints as we discussed in the above section. Both
Bangladesh and India see each other as security threat. For example, India
perceives the Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh as a fuel to the separatist
movement in India's North East. Given the porous border between India and
Bangladesh, anti-national elements move freely across the border. The
increasing strength of Muslim outfit in India's North East can be observed as
the number of madrassas in states of India's North East is increasing. Assam
has 2, 002 madrassas having 1, 20, 000 students. Similarly, Tripura has 229
madrassas and more than 28, 000 students. A former Director-General of
Border Security Force of India once said that "we feel that madrassas form an
important part of Islamic and moral teachings but what disturbs us are the
link of foreign agencies with the persons who runs such institutions. There is
a need to check madrassas in strategically sensitive areas" (Gopal, 2004: 196).
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security arufCFofitics
Similarly, some of the Bangladeshi scholar feels that transhipment of
Indian goods may provoke or encourage insurgent activities in Bangladesh.
They also feel that India may use the Bangladeshi corridors to move military
equipments without the knowledge of Bangladesh. This fear is baseless for
three reasons. Firstly, the current arrangement in Inland Water Transport
does not prove so. Apart from that modern tools for inspection can be
installed and Bangladeshi authorities will have full right to inspect the
consignment throughout its passage inside Bangladesh. Secondly, the transit
facility will be of great importance to India. Therefore, India will take utmost
precaution to ensure that the goods don't include any material objectionable
to Bangladesh from security point of view. This is because of the fact that
India will like to keep the good faith and good will with Bangladesh in this
matter as free flow of goods in this route is in the economic interest of India
(Ahmed, 2003). More so ever, for Bangladesh, the issue is political rather than
a security issue. Bangladesh wants to give transit access to India in lieu of
duty free access to its goods in India. Therefore, if Bangladesh goes ahead
with the current route plan of Asian Highway then, it will lose its only
bargaining chip with India. Thirdly, why should India move military
equipment through Bangladesh as it can always do so through the Siliguri
corridor (Ahmed, 2003).
Further, by developing required infrastructure and streamlining the
access to India, Nepal and Bhutan Bangladesh will get a good amount of
foreign currency as royalty, transit fee and related services. It has been
estimated that Bangladesh could earn between Tk. 600-800 crore annually.
Further, Bangladesh could also develop an export trade of US 50-100 million
with India's North East. These two earnings can reduce the trade balance it
has with Bangladesh (Ahmed, 2003). Given adequate infrastructure along
with these kinds of trade facilitation measures, the unofficial trade could be
diverted to the formal route as the price difference between formally and
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security aruf Pofitics
informally trade items will decrease drastically. Brigadier General Abu Belal
Muhammad Shafiul Hug of National Defence College, ·Dhaka undertook a
study and the recommendations are encouraging. They are (Hug, 2007: 34):
1. As there is immense economic potential and not much serious security
concerns related to the project, Bangladesh should join the AH
Network without any further delay.
2. The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) should form a committee to
study the possibility of a common and comprehensive agreement on
transit encompassing India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar
under the auspices of the AH Network. The committee should consider
the economic, security, social and environmental aspects of the
agreement and recommend most beneficial terms for Bangladesh.
3. To minimize the possibility of security threats due to transit through
Bangladesh (if granted), the Government of Bangladesh should
constitute an expert committee to recommend possible measures
needed to be taken at the entry point of AH at the international border
and during the entire route of transit.
If Bangladesh is not integrating into the transport system of the region, then
the system will develop without Bangladesh and in that scenario, Bangladesh
will have to pay heavily (Rahmatullah, 2007: 42). Due to reluctance on the
part of Bangladesh, India has started seriously about getting access to for the
India's North East. In this direction, India has finalised the $100 million
Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project with Myanmar. This project
will be beneficial both for India and Myanmar and India's North East will get
a route to sea. Framework Agreement along with two Protocols has already
been signed. The work is expected to start from next year (Ganapathy, 2007).
So the need of the hour is to stop blaming each other and work for the
development of the region. Strong political will remove the illogical and
perceived barriers in mutual economic interaction.
Constraints: I nfrastrncture, Security ana Pofitics
Data Tables
Source for all the data table in this section is the data collected from office of
the Commissioner, Customs House, Shilong, India.
Table 5.1 India's Ex.eorts to Bangladesh at Srimantapur LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 SRIMANT APUR
Quantity Value Value Value
(EXPORT) (INR) Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR)
Ginger 371.78 MT. 3553873 201 MT. 2032719 67MT. 667061 Sanitary wares 100 PCS 13380 7225 PCS. 611163 Printed matter 10MT 181624 Tezpata 18.435 MT 51209 Switch socket of plastic 767.08 kg 82441 Potato seeds 8MT. 47694 Plastic sitch and socket 0.7MT. 70969 Mooli bamboo 30MT. 17998 Raw hides and skin 153.73 MT. 2938557 Bay leaves (tez patta) 12MT. 36964 Parts and accessories of 10.827 MT. 1066619 agricultural products Colour woven fabrics 600 MTRS. 18184 Brasiers 1000 res. 18650 Printed picture or poster 2MT. 37300 Marble stone 3MT. 9671 Fresh potato 30MT. 184284 Bamboomuli 163 MT. 99982 TOTAL 3930221 2121686 5688435
Table 5.2 India's Imports from Bangladesh at Srimantapur LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 IMANTAPUR
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
(IMPORT) (INR) (INR) (INR)
ter non-knitted 251076 MTRS. 957984 des of .thetic fibre it juice based 3450CTRN. 654233 1ks: litchi dible molasses 426 MT. 1768643 50MT. 240239 20MT. 98575 'flat tube 248 MT. 4620750 300 MT. 6054912 450 MT. 10060248 ken or 80MT 82306 50MT. 52738 2040 MT. 2162117 shed stone ·pipes and 7.5 MT. 154768 3MT. 62933 es ·ated water 1928CTRN. 715511 33.785 KL. 1790451 27.604 MT. 357767 :uits 1.879 MT. 85971
o:ill
L.C.S. SRIMANT APUR
(IMPORT)
Potato crackers Ceramic tiles Other waste of wool Rope of jute Mattress of cellular rubber Brick crusher machine Plastic chair
Potato chips Doors, window frames, threshold items Ordinary portland cement Hilsa fish Mosquito net
Fruit juice based drinks Soap Egg noodles,chips, potato crackers Other knitted or croheted fabrics Synthetic drink Pvc pipes and filters Different food items Soyabean oil Head gear of textile fabrics Other fabrics of polyster staple fibre Other non-knitted crocheted fibre Other woven fabric of staple fibre Palm oil Float glass
Handloom cotton
2004-05
Value Quantity
(INR)
0.460 M.T 47367 7292.295 MT. 957099
14MT. 73596
5MT 39769 1800 CFT 206325
4NOS. 211635
3000 PCS + 23 1027851 MT.
810CTRN. 162017 575.5 MT. 27242
Constraints: I njrastructure, Security ana Po{itics
2005-06 2006-07
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
(INR) (INR)
14507 SQMT. 1979247
1 NO. 51564
350 MT. 881696
4MT. 352400 81100 MTRS. 377784
2.75 MT. 39.744 KL. 3300 650226
CTRN.
1100CTRN. 532673
4322615 KGS. 41427
4000 KGS. 300985
44.292 KL. 436454 1.5 MT. 32295
2556.9 KGS. 160970
35.786 MT. 1031192 1MT. 18609
40002 MT. 359959
8MT. 608716
65000 365773 MTRS.
61.306 MT. 1368090 16125.08 1218648
SQMT. 600 SQMT. 11950
Constraints: Infrastrncture, Security anaPoCitics
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 SRIMANT APUR Value Value Value
(IMPORT) Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR)
saree Palmolive 17.48 MT. 396178
TOTAL 11793067 13369275 18687541
Table 5.3 India's Exports to Bangladesh at Agartala LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 AGARTALA Value Value Value
(EXPORT) Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR)
Dry fish 184.5 MT. 3267662 188.5 MT. 3339070 72000 KGS. 1268640 Dust variety coal 460.4 MT. 819186 4.4 MT. 7691 Wall clock 1500 PCS. 102676 Dried chilly 62.55 MT. 2016303 Fresh ginger 92.5 MT. 827638 5MT. 67500 Raw hides skin 1725 PCS. 192441 3175 PCS.11 MT. 713311 41559 PCS. 955381 Natural rubber latex 15.96MT 596226 Coir mattress 663.11 CFT. 89978 Playing cards 100GROSS 22750 Turmeric 12.5 MT. 327930 Onion 3MT 30195 Potato seed 225.3 MT. 1322513 Limestone 10 MT. 26700 Orange 2MT. 18180 Other fabrics of 500 MTRS. 23537 painting & shirting Lime stones (dust) 7MT. 18207 Scrap of cast iron 66 MT. 574000 Fresh tomato 9.480 MT. 38846 Used pet bottle 4MT. 13140 Bamboo 20MT. 11688 Parts of motor cycles 720 KGS. 46086 Tomato 72032 KGS. 1867743 Ginger 15MT. 150356 Potato 60MT. 314078 Refined soya bean 27000 KGS. 511402 oil TOTAL 9683915 4829539 5067600
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security ana Poutics
Table 5.4 India's Imports from Bangladesh at Agartala LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 AGARTALA Value Value Value
(IMPORT) Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
Aerated water 950CTRN. 429494 18100 LTRS. 200205 79.2 KL. 1121655 3000CTRN.
Animal feed 303.45 MT. 1002434 2961.8 MT. 15685619 2538 MT. 13916390 Babul gum 125 CTRN. 57448 Badam bhaja 820 CTRN. 86472 Battery parts 20000 PCS 92200 Biscuits 7878CTRN. 683467 6220CTRN. 776186 6.278 MT. 141945 Brick crusher 18 NOS. 922877 5 NOS. 256565 9NOS. 468051 machine Broken I crushed 9671.33 MT. 10393102 37037.51 MT. 38090561 126317.27 131354973 stone MT. Building bricks 2500 PCS 2769 Candy 925 CTRN. 283250 Cashew nut 7MT 113444 45MT. 727125 Cement 1600 MT. 4182126 7775 MT. 21488269 17863 MT. 53999661 Coriander 3.2MT. 40348 Dry cell battery 42000 PCS. 362318 125800 PCS. 1541641 533144 PCS. 2298248 Dry fish 383.210 MT. 9424192 543.91 MT. 14179096 710.425 MT. 16692896 Filter sets 300 SETS 30679 Fruit magic 350 CTRN. 66719 Furniture 0 2455454 3697 NOS. 19.741 4750998 65.196 MT. 4973218
MT. Hilsa fish 374.117 MT. 26515810 816.68 MT. 71920063 616.526 MT. 56557328 House hold articles 34.7 MT. 610752 25.19 MT. 781685 of plastic Instant powder 100 CTRN 20576 orange drink Lay flat tube 305 MT. 5617900 205 MT. 3840250 170 MT. 3878750 Lime stone 10MT. 29920 10MT. 29716 Litchi/orange/mango 192700 CTRN. 19223817 drinks Mattress of cellular 4116CFT. 454162 1700 CFT. 168289 4000 PCS. 204300 rubber Molasses 87MT. 585390 275 MT. 1287927 345 MT. 1663970 Mustard oil 19.392 MT. 387840 52.5 MT. 1050000 Other non-knitted 120000 MTRS. 738820 articles of synthetic fibre Other waste of wool 188.285 MT. 1462564 221.3 MT. 1975728 Other woven fabric 44000MTRS. 253851 of polyester staple fibre P.v.c. pipes and 2MT 40905 18.361 MT. 364310 22MT. 449310 tubes P.v.c. £lastic/sheets 3MT 134850
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security aru! Po[itics
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
AGARTALA Value Value Quantity
Value (IMPORT)
Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR) (INR)
Potato crackers 7850CTRN. 2178040 10005 CTRN. 2428571 3.198 MT. 260395 Refined soya bean oil 158.75 MT. 5024077 1310.614 MT. 30064930 1263.924 38832790
MT.
Resins 911 MT. 100604 49MT. 316202 88MT. 586737
Rope of jute 46.07MT. 363512 264.367MT. 2834301 172 MT. 1368862
Salted hilsha 5.54 MT. 205171 9.46 MT. 495866 13.26 MT. 736748 Small fish varieties 420.25 MT. 12738509 770.95 MT. 22880475 1090.21 MT. 49660599
Tamarind chutny 1675 CTRN. 373632 Tiles 5012.68 SQMT. 776875 Toilet soap 1933 CTRN. 2303017 Corn flakes 18000 PCS. 47196 Cotton waste 68MT. 726960 456 MT. . 4983996 Floor covering 1 MT. 26790 tinoxyne Food products 18026 CTRN. 2889970 50.297 MT. 809715
22.103 MT. Hand pump 1000 PCS.16.5 443216 53.25 MT. 867522
MT. Harican lamp 600 PCS. 196650 Litchi drink 13350CTRN. 15087744 636216 KL. 9041662
424.56 KL. Man made staple 2 MT.2214204 1089073 fibre SQMT. Mattress 5 NOS. 496 CFT. 77411
Mosquito net 190000 MTRS. 2328309 9.35 MT.
Other thrashing 26NOS. 558437 71 NOS. 1149040
machine Palm oil 226.648 MT. 4641700 1031.625 21874143
MT.
Soap 74880 PCS. 343068 Tissue paper 2639.7 KGS. 132217 Vanaspati 112.995 MT. 3179353 153 MT. 3974238 Zinc plates 40MT. 107160 Agricultural 14.1 MT. 373004 machineries Alluminium frame of 1.4 MT. 56640 doors and windows Blow moulding 2NOS. 482179
machine Ceremic tiles 13000 1777200
SQMT. Concrete mixture 1 NO. 16293
machine Cosmetics and toilet 8.875 MT. 320887
items Doors I window 9.8MT. 365760 frame of lastic
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and' Pofitics
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 AGARTALA Value Value Value
(IMPORT) Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
Fabrics and polyster 792189.5 6901464 fibre SQMT. Float glass 38761.202 2362375
SQMT. Foot wear 0.055 MT. 25474 Hand loom cotton 4650 SQMT. 114541 saree 115 NOS. Knitted cotton fabrics 111.7 MT. 3525851 Knitted fabrics of 5.1 MT. 377554 synthetic fibre
Machine for farming 2NOS. 29977 foundry mould of sand Malamine 0.387 MT. 29645 Mango juice 1.96 KL. 139 Other household 62.72 MT. 1723446 articles
Other knitted or 37MT. 2774392 croached synthetic fibre
Other made up 87.5 MT. 1190457 articles of cotton
Other woven fabrics 20000 266700 of cotton MTRS. Plastic furniture 3MT. 132594 Quick lime 18 MT. 58736 Raw jute 1498.487 20425687
MT.
Ready made grments 341 NOS. 19269 Waste of synthetic 4MT. 36960 fibre
Weeder machine 3500 PCS. 562870 Wooden and metal 12.457 MT. 732663 furniture Zinc flakes 580 MT. 1594440
TOTAL 110769387 269282707 468871464
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security ana Pofitics
Table 5.5 India's Exports to Bangladesh at Ranghnabazar LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 RAGNA BAZAR Value Value Value
(EXPORT) Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
Citrus fruits 205150 NOS. 192808 10917.80 KGS. 82613 12484 KGS .. 86356 Fresh ginger 71.430 MT. 772289 11.880 MT. 133350 24300 KGS. 218706 Betel leaves 460KGS. 15845 270KGS. 9439 Orange 126960 NOS. 126950 7104.5 MT. 78464
33720 NOS. Fresh orange 1260 KGS. 44977
33720 NOS.
TOTAL 1107892 303866 350039
Table 5.6 India's Imports from Bangladesh at Ranghna Bazar LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 RAGNABAZAR Value Value Quantit Value
(IMPORT) Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR) y (INR)
Mosquito net 13145 MTRS 61985 150 KGS. 11081 Polyester fabric 9792.5 54924
MTRS Biscuit 8206.60 KGS 221606 Woven polyster fabric 7100 MTRS 41269
Juice 69.768 MT 474300 Beauty soap 8480 KGS. 440160 Fruit juice based drink 187272 1265455
LTRS. Keya soap 7295 KGS. 473040 Sunlite battery 7617.5 37659
KGS. Woven synthetic 300 13730 20000 94767 staple fibre SQMS. SQMT. Printed mosquito net 1259 KGS. 96018 Gangi (vest) 4814 res. 123553
TOTAL 1294244 1800965 314338
Table 5.7 India's Exports to Bangladesh at Sutarkandi LCS
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 ----·- --------·
L.C.S. Value Value Value
SUTARKANDI Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
(EXPORT)
Coal 530374.2 MT. 213372113 180367.58 MT. 322733527 258182.34 MT. 510354723 Ceramic wares 320 Pes 48039 TOTAL 213420152 322733527 510354723
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and Pofitics
Table 5.8 India's lm_eorts from Bangladesh at Sutarkandi LCS.
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
SUTARKANDI Quantity
Value Value Quantity
Value (IMPORT) (INR)
Quantity (INR) (INR)
--------... ·--------------·-----------··------·----· ... -·-··---··-----------------------------Juice, potato 3481.315 MT. 27317201 crackers, badam bhujia, chutney etc. Hilsa fish 384.3 MT. 27338440 569 MT. 48653846 495.25 MT. 46384461 Soap and telcom 95.215 MT. 5949735 powder Battery plate 9.2MT 181800 Keya soap 25.776 MT 1719602 Bakery product 28.322 MT. 809440 Metal/wooden 14.544 MT. 1202986 furniture Lascha semai 2.4 MT 25896 4.18 MT. 108288 Beverage 28.5 MT. 452438 Waste of wool 22MT. 243474 Waste of cotton 43MT. 464050 407.08 4414199 464.72 MT. 5784223
MT. Mosquito net 158000 MTRS. 727206 44000 202910
MTRS. Cement 500 MT. 1391255 1350 MT. 4545153 Juice products 25.6 MT. 1500 1598437 23.725 MT. 234766
CTRN. Candy products 64.644 MT. 1532415 Potato crackers 7.72 MT. 663152 0.833 MT. 77438 Fruit magic 12.305 MT. 110296 Aerated water 99.752 MT. 368936 27.12 MT. 345888 Soap 1682.621 MT. 4671646 20.470 MT. 913192 Litchi drink 184.8 LTRS. 1717738 808.332 MT. 7065903 Furniture wooden 5215.617 MT. 3540679 Furniture plastic 1821.859 MT. 248648 Biscuits 46.608MT. 685928 60.866MT. 1066715 Drink product 478.185 MT. 4104346 Badam bhaja 10.32 MT. 119312 1.8 MT. 17598 Chana chur 0.073 MT. 12246 Malamine table 44.383 MT. 467874 10.323 MT. 711063 ware Dry cell battery 6563.721 MT. 1415332 71.899 MT. 4015434 Pickles 0.63 MT. 21121 0.63 MT. 21121 Food product 2247.476 MT. 15213462 Malamine ware 279.7MT. 386258 Palm oil 30MT. 677217 Vanaspati 2149.89 MT. 59214122 3238.975 90130688
MT. Rose water 0.11 MT. 2837 1.3 MT. 34305 Al-amin food 151.472 MT 93708 Ca,e 1.850 MT. 98550
L.C.S. SUTARKANDI
(IMPORT)
Cartons Chips Chutney Drinks pran Float glass Furniture Gum candy Malamine kitchen ware Mango bar Molasses Pickles Pran candy Pran magic cup jam and jellies Roasted and fried vegetable product Sanitary napkin Soya bean oil
Sugar confectionery Synthetic drinks
Vegetable oil Wooden and metal furniture
TOTAL
2004-05
Quantity
Constraints: I nfrastrncture, Security and Po Cities
2005-06
Value (INR)
Quantity Value. UNR)
67823523 150042957
Table 5.9
2006-07
Quantity Value (INR)
4B50 MT 19799 5.68 MT. 431105
26354 MT. 661082 1.2 MT. 15254
2.45 MT. 351335 39.574 MT. 3177111 15.137 MT. 396240 276.9 MT. 193014
0.9MT. 34305 26MT. 125121
0.63 MT. 21121
12.6 MT. 337907
127.441 MT. 1057340
3.490 MT. 128677
3.16 MT. 137306 10543.603 100694558
MT. 47.2 MT. 551919 3575.787 31462954
MT. 49.99 MT. 1480317
15.880 MT. 1274649
304178487
India's Exports to Bangladesh at Karimganj Ferry Station L.C.S. KARIMGANJ 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
STEAMER AND FERRY
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
STATION (INR) (INR) (INR) (EXPORTS)
Ginger 2624.189 MT. 29195834 1911.263 MT. 22594549 2509.31 MT. 23568777 Citrus fruits 2018870 NOS. 2294093 999345 NOS. 1105467 1371640 NOS. 1493520 Lime stone 1300 MT 344972 Fresh vegetable 8.176 MT 76582 Orange 3559950 NOS. 3692194 5907819 NOS. 6672008 Rice (non-basmati) 77.692 MT. 745222 Betel leaves 2784 KGS. 86555 1154 KGS. 43211 Fresh fruit litchi 250 KGS. 3251 Fresh fruit orange 4287930 NOS. 4711926 Chaw chai quash 2.52 MT. 8044 2.52 MT. 8044 Grapes 225 KGS. 6579 Dri: fish ( varieties ) 152.219 MT. 2698273 TOTAL 36435452 28473027 34440622
ITill
Coal
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security and Po(itics
Table 5.10 India's Imports from Bangladesh at Karimganj Ferry Station
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 KARIMGANJ
STEAMER AND ,FERRY STATION
(IMPORT)
Quantity Value (INR)
Value Quantity Quantity
(INR) Value (INR)
-... ·-------.. -----··-----~····---------··-----···-··· .. -·-········--···--··---···-··--··-··-···-·-------·····-·····--------··----------Molasses Cotton waste Deep fried crispy snack Mosquito net Other knitted fabrics
TOTAL
45 MT. 22MT.
1813.20 KGS. 51000MTRS.
104282 45 MT. 215425 244753 179356 234657 51000 MTRS. 235191
8982.86 KGS. 710841 763048 1161457
Table 5.11 India's Exports to Bangladesh at Dawki LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 DAWKI Value Value
(EXPORT) Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
311329 MT. 554052882 292313.6 M.T. 476211782
30MT. 151543
26950 KGS. 1331706
1483249
2006-07
Value Quantity
(INR)
239138.584 MT. 471834816 Lime Stone 163 MT. 42012 552 MT. 140637 6322.4 MT. 1635279 Oranges 202860 NOS. 810360 2246980 NOS. 2145691 Boulder Stone 65MT. 14495 531.9 MT. 193507 Citrus Fruits 8040 NOS. 12060 Raw Hides And Skin 57MT. 1029360 Tomato 6000 KGS. 78000 TOTAL 554931809 478498110 474770962
Table 5.12 India's Imports from Bangladesh at Dawki LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 DAWKI Value Value Value
(IMPORT) Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
Quantity (INR)
Baggage 112 CTRN. 126183 Misc. Items for trade fair 0 87563 335640
TOTAL 87563 461823
Table 5.13 India's Exports to Bangladesh at Bholaganj LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 BHOLAGANJ
(EXPORT)
Lime stone Boulder stone TOTAL
Quantity
230696 MT. 2210 MT.
Value (INR)
Quantity
68415564 221643.5 MT. 501538
68917102
Value Quantity
Value (INR) (INR)
74620658 402961 MT. 112958849 530 MT. 113585
74620658 113072434
L.C.S. BORSORA (EXPORT)
Coal Lime stone
TOTAL
L.C.S. GASUAPARA
(EXPORT)
Constraints: I nfrastrncture, Security aruf Po(itics
Table 5.14 India's Exports to Bangladesh at Borosora LCS
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
(INR) (INR) (INR)
411328 MT. 733725864 461026 MT. 828959408 473528.85 MT. 924223201 29891 MT. 7687153 29475.26 MT. 17371971 125408.7 MT. 32670466
741413017 846331379 956893667
Table 5.15 India's Exports to Bangladesh at Gasuapara LCS
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
Value Value Value Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR)
Coal 92852.4 MT. 174671501 118080.8 MT. 233616121 231499.4 MT. 472683846
Ginger TOTAL
L.C.S. DALU
(EXPORT)
Coal Lime Stone Boulder Stone Ginger Blast Stone Orange
TOTAL
L.C.S. DALU
(IMPORT)
Kutchia fish Synthetic net fabric
TOTAL
21.126 MT. 158202
174671501 233616121 472842048
Table 5.16 India's Exports to Bangladesh at Dalu LCS
2004-05 2005-06 2006-07
Value Value Value Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR) Quantity
(INR)
35529 MT. 68173959 46399 MT. 114263305 53363.4 MT. 108107840 700 MT. 189910 504.7 MT. 132980 235.5 MT. 63466 200 MT. 72720 200 MT. 71840 60MT. 404595
532 MT. 191974 20MT. 188580
69033158 114584865 108243146
Table 5.17 India's Imports from Bangladesh at Dalu LCS
2004-05
Quantity Value (INR)
2005-06
Quantity
2MT.
Value (INR)
65926
65926
2006-07
Value Quanti_ty ___ . (INR)
4MT .33475PCS. 200KGS.
711672
711672
Constraints: Infrastructure, Security ana Pofitics
Table 5.18 India's Exports to Bangladesh at Mahendraganj LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 MAHENDRAGANJ
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
(EXPORT) (INR) (INR) (INR)
Coal 2858 MT. 5366905 5176 MT. 9979032 3309 MT. 6822234 Crushed stone 8033 MT. 4977113 5023 MT. 3088745 1472 MT. 1002849 Boulder stone 944 MT. 419351 2000 MT. 867583 Ginger 344.920 MT. 2302034 617 MT. 4145566 415 MT. 2917209 Bamboo 51 MT. 38665
TOTAL 13065403 17213343 11648540
Table 5.19 India's Imports from Bangladesh at Mahendraganj LCS
L.C.S. 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 MAHENDRAGANJ
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
Quantity Value
(IMPORT) (INR) (INR) (INR)
Mosquito net 275000 MT. 1249588 100000 MTRS. 449604 Cotton waste 402MT. 1802650 582.95 MT. 2923844 594 MT. 3043687 Hilsa fish lOOOKGS 142480 Litchi drink 8MT 95989
Readymade garments 508018 PCS. 9931243 908904 PCS. 14416807
500 KGS. Synthetic net fabrics 151 MT. 6920219 500 MT. 23069215 Float glass 131679.668 SQMT. 8719293
TOTAL 3290707 20224910 49249002