A freight train ready for trial run from Kolkata to Dhaka Tuesday missed its debut trip as Bangladeshi customs reportedly didn't show the green flag.
The train of Container Corporation of India Ltd (CONCOR), loaded with 60 containers, kept waiting in Kolkata for the all-clear from Dhaka to roll on cross-border journey, officials said.
The problem cropped up as customs officials, at the last minute, disagreed to complete the customs procedure at west end of Bangabandhu Bridge citing non-existence of bonded warehouse there.
Earlier, they had agreed to carry out the work at railway stationmaster's office located at the west point of the Bangabandhu Bridge to facilitate the trial run of goods train.
The two countries have cross-border passenger trains in operation.
Assistant Director (Interchange Traffic) of Bangladesh Railway Kalikanta Ghosh told the FE Tuesday all the preparations for the trial run were taken with consent of Bangladesh Customs. But now they are shaking their heads in disagreement.
"We met concerned customs officials Sunday last and sought their cooperation again. But now they are saying that there is no bonded warehouse at Bangabandhu Bridge's west point and thus they are unable to carry out customs procedure there," he said.
"We now have written to the chairman of the National Board of Revenue to resolve the problem and are waiting for his response," Mr Ghosh said.
According to him the train of CONCOR is loaded with 52 wagons of De Oiled Cake (DOC), six wagons of talcum powder, and two wagons of motor spare parts.
The decision to run a freight train between Kolkata and Dhaka was taken in April last year during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India. India's CONCOR and Container Company of Bangladesh Ltd (CCBL) signed a memorandum of understanding in this regard back then.
CONCOR local partner and managing director of Gulf Orient Seaways Ltd Sk Mahfuz Hamid told the FE Tuesday he was doubtful whether such trial run could take place as NBR officials were showing 'very negative attitude'.
He pointed out that the after the state-level signing of the accord, the ministry of public administration asked the railway ministry to take necessary steps following which two inter-ministerial meetings were held.
The first secretary (customs), in the meeting, agreed to take necessary steps to facilitate holding the train trial run, but now it came clear that they did nothing.
Mr Hamid further said following transfer of a previous official a new first secretary (customs) took charge but he is not taking responsibility.
"Bangladeshi importers who have shown enthusiasm for the trial run are now facing financial losses due to the delay in beginning the journey," he noted.
Contacted over telephone, first secretary (customs) Rais Uddin Khan told the FE the revenue-board authority has formed a committee led by Member (customs) to physically visit Bangabandhu Bridge's west point and submit a report whether carrying out customs procedure is possible there.
But, according to him, the committee so far did not visit the area, let alone submit the report.
He said when goods are imported, customs department's responsibility is to keep those under its control until duty and taxes are paid.
The committee will see whether the arrangement at that point is available and if they are satisfied that such a trial run is possible, Mr Khan said.
The Indo-Bangla freight train is meant for facilitating transportation of goods at low cost and at short time between the two countries as trade is growing every year. The bilateral trade has already climbed over US$7.0 billion, with the balance heavily tilted towards India.
Bangladesh mainly imports cotton, cotton fabrics, cotton yarn, consumer goods, cereals, edible vegetables, vehicles, machinery and mechanical appliances, nuclear reactor, boilers, iron and steel, among others, from the neighbouring country.
On the other hand, the major exports from Bangladesh to India include knitwear, woven garments, home textiles, frozen foods, agro-products, bicycle, leather and leather products, footwear, raw jute, and jute goods.
