Bangladeshi tourists are regularly ‘ill-treated’ at the Petrapole land port, according to a news report of The Hindu Business Line (HBL).
It said that lack of facilities and rampant malpractices annoy visitors, damage India’s image
Titled as “It’s chaos all around at Petrapole land port” the report exposed firsthand account of the tourists suffering in the largest Indian land port.
It mentioned that the passenger terminal of the land port is ‘at a dilapidated building complex’ and ‘a strong stench of urine greets the visitors.’
“The (customs and immigration) process takes at least two hours and the visitors are free to sit on the floor or wait at the dirty courtyard that resembles a cattle shed,” the report added.
“Welcome to Petrapole Land Port, arguably the largest in South Asia in terms of passenger traffic,” it continued. “It is a national shame. For the records, Bangladesh has a decent facility across the border at Benapole.”
“There is little to be said of the amenities there,” it further added. “It doesn’t even have adequate toilets, leave alone clean toilets.”
The report, prepared by Pratim Ranjan Bose on the basis of his recent visit in the land port, pointed out that in 2017-18, India offered 1.4 million visas to Bangladeshis. Of the total, 0.115 million or 82 per cent reported at this gate due to its proximity to Dhaka.
According to the report, in July 2016, India opened a RS2-billion modern integrated cargo terminal in Patrapole. “But the plan for building a Rs4.5-billion modern passenger terminal was sent to the freezer,” it added.
“Apart from having to deal with the unionised transporters and workers known for running extortion cartels, insiders allege, visitors carrying cash above permissible limits are often fleeced by staff members involved in scrutiny,” said the report.
The report quoted an official saying: “We are doing tremendous damage to our national prestige.”
The report also mentioned that Bangladeshis are India’s largest class of medical tourists, buying costly super-speciality healthcare and generating huge revenues for India’s retail sector.
“While there are no official statistics, eyewitness accounts suggest they return home with loads of purchases, including substantial portion of premium brands, which are costlier in Bangladesh,” it added.
“The mess doesn’t stop in ill-treating visitors,” it continued, mentioning that too many onlookers, mostly local touts, roam around at the zero line at Petrapole and mingle with passengers. “The commotion helps many to escape the immigration check,” it added pointing to the issue of security.
The report also said that a police station is set up in the complex in response to demands from local politicians.
“Ideally, no police station should be set up on the international border, leave alone in an international passenger terminal,” the report added. “Available information suggests that the State had not obtained the Centre’s permission for it.”
HBL report observed that the police station benefited the unscrupulous.
“Anyone can enter the complex as a citizen of India and mingle with international passengers,” it added. “No wonder many terrorists were found to have entered India through this gate.”