Akhaura land port attracts more passengers, but facilities lag behind

The Akhaura land port in Brahmanbaria is increasingly becoming the preferred route for passengers to travel to India, thanks to its efficient connectivity that allows travellers to reach any city in the neighbouring country quickly and affordably.

Consequently, the government's revenue from passenger travel taxes obtained at the port is also on the rise.

Port officials say at present, around 800 to 1,000 passengers use the Akhaura land port every day to travel to India for medical and travel purposes. This figure nearly triples during various festivals.

Passengers say once they cross the Akhaura land port, Agartala city in India is conveniently close by. Agartala airport is just a 20-minute drive away, and the railway station is also in close proximity to the city.

This accessibility allows Bangladeshi passengers to easily travel to popular tourist destinations within India, such as Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Chennai, Jaipur, Gangtok, and Shillong, using air and rail transportation. Additionally, this convenience leads to cost savings for travellers.

However, despite the rising number of passengers and increased revenue, the land port falls short of providing the desired level of passenger services due to inadequate facilities.

According to the Akhaura Land Customs Station, during the fiscal 2022-23, more than 257,000 passengers crossed through the Akhaura land port. During this period, the government collected around Tk8 crore in passenger travel tax.

In the current financial year, around 43,000 passengers passed through the port as of 31 August, resulting in government revenue slightly exceeding Tk2.80 crore.

Upon the completion of the four-lane national highway currently under construction from Ashuganj river port to Akhaura land port, the number of passengers using the route is expected to increase further, port officials said.

The passenger travel tax was Tk500 in the previous fiscal year, but it has been increased to Tk1,000 this financial year.

According to sources, currently, Jashore's Benapole is the busiest land port in Bangladesh through which around 7,000 passengers travel to India per day.

Abul Kashem, who regularly travels through Akhaura land port, said Dhaka does not offer sufficient flight connections to all cities in India, and the cost of flights from Dhaka tends to be high.

"In such circumstances, travelling by air from Agartala via the Akhaura land port to various Indian cities becomes a convenient option. It not only saves time but is also more cost-effective. That's why I prefer using this port for my trips to India," he said.

However, despite the daily influx of an increasing number of passengers through the port, the inadequate facilities and services available often lead to discomfort and inconvenience for many travellers.

Passengers complained that they do not get all the facilities under the same roof in the land port.

After completing customs procedures in a dilapidated customs building, passengers are then required to proceed to another facility for baggage scanning. Following this step, they must pass through the BGB check-post on their way to the Immigration Building, they said.

The ageing immigration building was officially declared abandoned several years ago, yet passenger immigration procedures continue to take place there, albeit with some associated risks.

A passenger named Fazle Rabbi expressed concerns regarding the absence of trolley facilities, which creates difficulties for passengers in handling their luggage. Additionally, he noted that the immigration building lacks adequate access to water and sanitary facilities for the convenience of passengers.

According to port officials, the construction of a new, six-storey modern building adjacent to the old immigration building began in 2016 with the aim of providing all necessary services under one roof and alleviating passenger suffering. However, it has not been completed yet due to different complications.

Inspector Hasan Ahmed Bhuiyan, who serves at the Akhaura International Immigration Check-post Police, said that once the new immigration building is finished, passengers will have access to comprehensive services in a single location, alleviating their current inconveniences.

"The construction of the immigration building has encountered delays due to the intricacies of border regulations. Discussions regarding this matter are ongoing at the highest levels between the two countries. We hope that construction will resume shortly," he added.

Since 1994, there has been a flow of goods exports from Bangladesh to the Indian state of Tripura through the Akhaura land customs station. Over time, the commercial significance of this trade route has grown, and in 2008, the Akhaura Land Port officially commenced its operations as a full-fledged port.

Currently, a wide range of products, such as frozen fish, rods, cement, stone, cotton, plastic, and wooden furniture, are exported to various Indian states on a daily basis through this port.