Feni’s Bilonia Land Port is barely surviving on limited export activities. With no import operations for a long time, the port area remains eerily silent, leaving hundreds of loading and unloading workers unemployed. Due to complications in issuing Indian visas following the change of government in August 2024, passenger movement has also declined sharply. Although the port’s official activities continue, immigration officials are passing idle days, reflecting a stagnant scene at the facility.
According to sources at the port, Bilonia Land Port is located at the Bilonia border in Parshuram upazila of Feni, opposite India’s Tripura state where it is known as the Muhurighat LCS Station. The port was declared a customs station on February 23, 2009, and began full operations on December 19, 2022. However, since 2019, construction work on port infrastructure has been halted by India’s Border Security Force (BSF), claiming it falls within the international boundary. Nearly six years later, the issue remains unresolved.
Business communities initially hoped that reopening the port would boost exports to Tripura and seven northeastern Indian states, helping narrow Bangladesh’s trade deficit with India. Despite this optimism, the port has failed to live up to expectations even after 16 years.
A visit to the port revealed a deserted atmosphere. The main gate stood silent, and the administrative building was nearly empty.
Accountant Md Hanif said, “Almost no imports take place through Bilonia port—only exports. Items like cement, rope, and nails are exported. In FY 2024–25, 3,931 trucks carried export goods, while only two trucks—carrying 38 metric tons—brought imports.”
Warehouse Superintendent Imam Hasan added that the only imports in FY 2024–25 were chili, ginger, and wood apple, totaling 38 metric tons in two trucks.
Due to the halt in imports, port laborers have become jobless. “We are living in extreme hardship. Many have switched professions to survive,” said worker Md Alamgir.
Local resident Yusuf Hasan said 19 items have government approval for import, but only onions and chili actually come through. “Poor lodging and transport facilities also discourage truck drivers from using this route,” he added.
Ismail Hossain, manager of Uttaran Trading International, said India permits import of only a few goods through this port, including livestock, fish fry, fruits, timber, limestone, onion, and ginger. “On the other hand, Bangladesh is allowed to export all types of products,” he noted.
Trader Mizanur Rahman from Bilonia Trade International said high transport costs make imports unviable. “Even though items like wheat, onion, and ginger are permitted, the cost of transport exceeds the sale price,” he said.
Revenue Officer Md Hannan Mia said that in FY 2024–25, 86,482 metric tons of goods were exported through the port, earning Tk 11.4 lakh in revenue. Passenger movement, however, has dropped due to visa complications. Only 2,956 people traveled to India, while 3,238 entered Bangladesh through the port in that period.
Bilonia Immigration Police In-Charge SI Shah Alam said that Indian visa issuance was suspended after the government change, though some medical-related visas are being processed.
Lt. Col. Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, Commanding Officer of BGB Feni Battalion, said discussions at higher levels are ongoing to resolve land issues related to the port development project. “We hope for a positive outcome soon,” he added.
He also confirmed that border surveillance has been strengthened to prevent illegal trade and ensure security.
Meanwhile, the 28-km Feni–Bilonia regional highway—the only route connecting the port—is being upgraded to a two-lane standard road at a cost of Tk 250 crore. Once completed, the expanded 10.3-meter (34-foot) road is expected to boost cross-border trade.
Feni Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Suniti Chakma said, “The road widening project is progressing in three phases. About Tk 100 crore has been allocated for land acquisition, and compensation will be paid as per government rules.”
