Characterization of Existing Cross Border Trade Practices
5.2 Description of the Land Routes for Cross Border Trade
As already stated, the state of Assam has two functional land customs points namely Sutarkandi and Ferighat station located in the Karimganj district of Assam. The state of Meghalaya has the maximum number of functional land customs stations for trade facilitations namely Mahendraganj, Dalu, Ghasuapara, Borsora, Bholaganj, Dawki, Shellabazar, and Baghmara. The state of Tripura has five land customs points through which trade is taking place namely Agartala, Manu, Ragnabazar, Srimantapur and Khowighat. In this chapter, attempts have been made to provide a brief geographical description of the border points and their connectivity with Bangladesh trade points. The trade data for the last six-year (1996-02), collected from different land port customs points, have also been analyzed in this chapter to understand the trend and characteristics of trade practice.
5.2.1 Land Routes for Cross Border Trade: Assam
Sutarkandi LCS is located in the Karimganj district of Assam. The 16 km stretch Surma Trunk Road connects Sutarkandi with district town of Karimganj. The official entry point of the border is Sutarkandi and the exit point is Seola that falls in Bangladesh.
Ferryghat LCS is located at the Karimganj town and is in the bank of river Kushiara. The official entry point is Steamer or Ferry center and the exit point is Jakiganj in Bangladesh.
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5.2.2 Land Routes for Cross Border Trade : Meghalaya
Mahendraganj LCS is located in the West Garo hills of Meghalaya. The station operates during post monsoon period and pre monsoon period and remains closed during the months July to October due to rain. The official entry point of the border is Mahendraganj and the exit point is Dhanna- Kamalpur.
Dalu LCS is located at the West Garo hills district of Meghalaya. The LCS is directly connected to the NH-51 and condition of the road is very good. The official entry point is Dalu and the exit point is Nakugaon in Bangladesh.
Baghmara LCS is located in the South Garo hills of Meghalaya and mainly handle export traffic from NEI side. The land customs station has been used only for export of coal to Bangladesh.
Ghasuapara LCS is located in the South Garo hills of Meghalaya. The LCS is located very near to the NH-62 (2 km distance). The official entry point is Ghasuapara and the exit point is Koraitoli – Haluaghat- Sherpur in Bangladesh .
Borsora LCS is located in East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. It is approximately at a distance of 182 km from Shillong. The official entry point is Borsora (India) and the exit point is Borsora (Bangladesh)
Bhollaganj LCS is located in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya and is at a distance of 80 K.M from Shillong, the capital town of Meghalaya. At present there are three modes of transportation available from Bholaganj to Bangladesh i.e. the ropeway, road way and the river way. Through this LCS, Kumla Lime Stone Mining Corporation exports limestone to Chatak Cement Company in Bangladesh by using the ropeway. The exporters for exporting boulder stone and limestone to Bangladesh mostly use the river ways.
Dawki LCS is located in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. It is at a distance of 82 km from capital town Shillong. The export point falls on the national highway (NH-40) passing through Shillong and is connected with the Sylhet town of Bangladesh. There is also another
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road i.e Dawki- Jowai Road connecting the border point and has been declared as national highway 40-A.
Shellabazar LCS is located in the East Khasi District of Meghalaya. It is 80 k,m away from Shillong. The whole area comes under the lime stone belt and hence exportable items do not travel much before transported to Bangladesh. There are two points of exports, Shella and river Ichamati.
5.2.3 Land Routes for Cross Border Trade: Tripura
Agartala LCS is located in the state capital of Tripura i.e. Agartala only. It is in the West Tripura district of Tripura and adjoining the Akhoura town of Bangladesh. The road condition leading to the LCS is motorable one. The nearest national highway i.e. NH-44 is at a distance of 2.5 km from the station. The connecting road in the Bangladesh side is leading to Dhaka (150 K.m) and is of good condition. The official entry point is Agartala the exit point is Akhaura (Bangladesh)
Srimantapur LCS is located in Sonamura sub division of West Tripura district and is about 63 km from Agartala town. . The nearest Railway Station in the Indian side is Kumarghat (210 k.m) and on the Bangladesh side is at Comilla town (8 k.m). The official entry point is Srimantapur / Sonamura (India) and the exit point is Bibirbazar (Bangladesh).
Khowaighat LCS is located in north Tripura district of Tripura. The official entry point is Khowai (India) and exit point is Balla (Bangladesh)
Manughat LCS is located in Kailasahar subdivision of Tripura. The official entry point is Manughat (India) and exit point is Chatlapur (Bangladesh)
Ragnabazar LCS is located in Dharmanagar subdivision of Tripura. The official entry point is old Raghnabazar (India) and exit point is Batuli (Bangladesh).
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