Worried Indian exporters reduce shipments to Bangladesh through Petrapole amid rising political turmoil

The land port Petrapole, a vital gateway for trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh, is currently witnessing a lesser number of trucks entering Bangladesh each day compared to December last year.
| Photo Credit:
DEBASISH BHADURI

Amid rising political turmoil in Bangladesh, worried Indian exporters are gradually reducing shipments to the neighbouring country through Petrapole — the largest land port in South Asia.

The land port Petrapole, a vital gateway for trade and commerce between India and Bangladesh, is currently witnessing a lesser number of trucks entering Bangladesh each day compared to December last year.

According to exporters, India’s shipments to Bangladesh have been falling sharply due to rising uncertainties that loom over payments from Bangladeshi importers with the country facing the worst political crisis in decades.

Since a mass uprising in July last year toppled the Sheikh Hasina Government, the number of trucks entering Bangladesh each day through the Petrapole-Benapole border has halved.

“During July last year, around 500-550 trucks were entering Bangladesh each day from Petrapole. Now, around 250 trucks are crossing the border on an average in a day. Indian exporters are reducing their shipments as they are very worried about getting payments due to rising political uncertainties,” Karthik Chakraborty, Secretary, Petrapole Clearing Agents’ Staff Welfare Association told businessline.

According to Chakraborty, the number of trucks entering from the Bangladeshi side has also fallen drastically. “The number of trucks entering from Bangladesh has come down to 70 per day on an average from 250 trucks per day earlier,” he informed.

Petrapole, about 80 km from Kolkata, in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, accounted for a significant part of India-Bangladesh bilateral trade. Through the land port Petrapole, Bangladesh imports raw cotton, iron, plastics, chemicals, onion and perishable commodities, among others, while India imports leather items, shoes, cotton rack, jute goods and fishes.

With export shipments to Bangladesh falling drastically, the trucking industry is facing a whopping loss each day. As much as 30 per cent of India’s trucking industry is dependent on the country’s trade with neighbouring Bangladesh

“As exports are falling, demand for trucks has also been falling. It has been a major financial blow to us,” said Sajal Ghosh, secretary, Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators’ Association.

“With Petrapole, other major land ports in West Bengal — Gojadanga, Hili, Mahadipur and Fulbari — have also been witnessing substantial decrease in trade volumes. Truck owners are not getting insurance for their vehicles entering Bangladesh due to rising political turmoil there,” Ghosh added.

Published on January 9, 2026