Import and export operations with Nepal through Banglabandha land port have been suspended on Saturday due to the volatile situation in the neighbouring country.
India has also sealed its border with Nepal for security reasons amid widespread protests and unrest.

The Banglabandha land port at Tentulia upazila of Panchagarh district is a crucial hub for trade between Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan. While trade with India and Bhutan remains normal, the direct road link with Nepal, a distance of 494 kilometres from Banglabandha to Kathmandu, has been severed.

According to various sources on Saturday, several Bangladeshi trucks carrying goods to Nepal have been stranded at Phulbari and Panitanki border points in India.

Manish Sharma, in charge of Nepalese customs, said that there is no certainty when the stranded trucks carrying potatoes from Bangladesh will be able to cross the border. As a result, no one is currently risking new import-export activities with Nepal.

Over the past few days, trucks loaded with potatoes, poultry feed, jute and other goods from Bangladesh have crossed into India via Banglabandha, only to get stuck at the Phulbari land port. The drivers and traders are now facing significant losses.
A number of drivers waiting at Banglabandha land port with their trucks expressed their concerns. Driver Farid Ahmed said that due to the situation in Nepal, 20 trucks loaded with goods are stuck at the Banglabandha terminal.

He lamented that the cost of keeping the trucks idle will lead to significant financial losses.

Banglabandha land port manager Abul Kalam Azad confirmed the situation and said that while import and export with India and Bhutan are normal, they are not currently permitting any goods for export to Nepal.

As of Saturday, 20 trucks loaded with jute and potatoes have been unable to receive clearance, he added.
He also said that the export of goods to Nepal will remain suspended until the situation there returns to normal.