During the Eid-ul-Fitr and Bengali New Year holidays, Jessore’s Benapole land port experienced an unprecedented surge in passenger traffic, setting a new record for cross-border travel between Bangladesh and India.
Over the five-day period from Eid day to Monday, more than 32,000 individuals crossed between the two countries, marking a remarkable sixfold increase compared to typical days.
The surge in passenger numbers overwhelmed immigration staff at the Benapole and Petrapole checkposts in India, leading to long queues and delays, particularly at Petrapole.
According to Benapole immigration sources, of the 32,283 passengers who travelled with passports during this period, approximately 19,000 entered India from Bangladesh, while 13,283 arrived in Bangladesh from India. With the end of the government holiday, the number of passengers returning from India has also surged significantly since Monday.
Kamruzzaman Biswas, officer-in-charge (OC) of Benapole Checkpost Immigration Police, highlighted that the usual passenger volume of 5,000-6,000 during this period skyrocketed to over 32,000, attributing the increase to people traveling for sightseeing and medical treatment during the extended holidays.
Sharing his experience, Rashid Ahmed, a resident of Jessore city, recounted his family’s trip to India for Eid and New Year celebrations, along with seeking medical treatment. Despite facing challenges in finding accommodation due to the influx of Bangladeshi visitors, their journey encompassed moments of leisure and medical care in Siliguri and Kolkata.
The surge in passenger traffic reflects the eagerness of travelers to seize the opportunities presented by the holidays, contributing to the bustling activity at the Benapole land port.
