LALMONIRHAT: If only two kilometres of railway track between Burimari of Bangladesh and Changrabandha of India is built, Burimari land port's export-import activities will increase, said the traders who use it regularly.
Once there was direct rail-link with India through Burimari railway station during the British rule, said one of the port officials adding that it is, however, no longer used since 1947.
If a small portion of railway track is constructed from Changrabandha to Burimari, it is possible for the businessmen of India, Bangladesh and Bhutan to continue export and import easily and cheaply, he added.
According to several Bangladeshi importers, various goods like stones, hard rock, river stone, lime stones, jute seeds, maize and wheat are now being brought from Bhutan and India.
At the same time, Bangladesh is exporting garments, melamine products, medicines, hosieries, cap, juice, chips and some other products to these two countries through Burimari land port, they added.
Rahimul Haque, a stone importer, said, "The government of Bangladesh has a bright prospect of earning huge revenue from this port if it can facilitate direct railway communication with India."
Abul Kashem, another Bangladeshi importer, said, "The carrying cost of per tonne stone is Tk 780-800 from Changrabandha point to Burimari. The distance between these two places is only six to seven kilometres."
"On the other hand, we have to count a delay fine of Tk 1500 per day for getting a serial number to enter the port. Often a truck coming from Bhutan has to wait 8-10 days at the port," he added.
"This is how the cost of per cubic foot stone becomes costlier than what it should be. And the addition cost eventually goes to the consumers," he pointed out.
Ruhul Amin Babul, an importer who uses this port regularly, said that if the direct railway connection is restored their carrying cost would reduce at least two-third than the existing cost.
All of these importers urged the government of Bangladesh to take all measures so that the direct railway link from Changrabandha to Burimari comes into a reality.
Kefayet Ullah Majumdar, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Burimari land port, said, "If railway communication is constructed between the two neighbouring countries, the carrying cost and hassles of loading and unloading in several points will be removed."
Contacted, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Bangladesh Railway's Lalmonirhat Division Sha Sufi Noor Mohammad said, "If Burimar-Changrabandha railway link is built, revenue will increase remarkably and the cost of imported goods will be reduced."
"We have already submitted a plan regarding this route to the higher authorities for approval," he added.
