Even though tourist visas have been introduced by road after being closed due to Covid-19, passengers have not been able to go to India through Darshana check post in Chuadanga for almost 2.5 years. Many people have suffered as many of them forced to travel a long way to India through Benapole. It is increases travel costs and time besides the government is losing revenue.
According to research, before the pandemic, an average of 1500 passengers used to travel to India on this route every day. Now there are 50 to 60 Bangladeshi including Indian citizens traveling there with business visa. Because of this, thousands of dependent people have become unemployed. Many of them are thinking to change professions while many still are waiting to open the check post. Since the check post has been closed for 2.5 years, it has also affected the revenue sector. In the last two and a half years, the government has incurred a loss of around Tk 50 crore.
According to Darshana Immigration sources, operations of Darshana Checkpost at Chuadanga were closed on March 26, 2020 due to the global pandemic. As of mid-September 2021, travel through the Darshana checkpoint were allowed with only medical and business visas. Later it was closed on 5 December 2021. Since then no permission has been given to travel to India through the Darshana check post. Rabiul Islam of Gwalhuda village of Jhenaidah district said that people of 10 districts of southwestern region including Jhenaidah, Magura, Kushtia, Meherpur, Rajbari, Chuadanga, Rajshahi are forced to go through Benapole of Jessore because they cannot go to India through Darshana check post. Due to this, many people are falling ill after standing in line for a long time in extreme heat. In addition, the cost of transportation is increasing three times. He also said that it costs only Tk 100 to come to Darshana check post from surrounding districts including Kushtia, Magura, Meherpur. On the other hand, it costs from Tk 150 to Tk 200 to reach Benapole in Jessore.
Khustar Jamil, a prominent contractor of Chuadanga, said, “As our people are not allowed to use Darshana they are forcibly using Benapole port to go to India. They had to stand at the check post for seven to eight hours.”
General Secretary of Darshana C&F Association Atiyar Rahman said that if visas are introduced through Darshana check post, the government will get crores of Taka revenue as before. At the same time, passenger pressure on Benapole land port will be reduced.
Sub-Inspector (SI) of Police Darshana Immigration in charge Md. Abu Naeem said, Indian citizens can enter Bangladesh through Darshana check post on any visa. However, no new visa is being given to Bangladeshis in this way.
Darshana Customs Superintendent Subhashish Kundu said that before Covid-19, more than 1500 passengers with passports traveled to India on this route every day. Passport passengers are expected to travel as before when visas are introduced.