Benapole is Bangladesh’s biggest land port located in Benapole town of Sharsha Upazila of Jessore District. Benapole Land Port is Founded in 1947,to it is the main entry point for imports and exports between Bangladesh and India at the Benapole-Petrapole points of the border respectively.
Historical Background
Benapole Land Port started its journey many years ago as a Land Customs station. It was upgraded into a Customs Division in 1984 and to a Custom House in 1997. In 2009, a separate section with new buildings was constructed over there and named Benapole Customs and Immigration Check Post.
Strategic Importance
Benapole Land Port is strategically located near Kolkata, one of the largest commercial centers in the country, about 80 kilometers away. The port is located in an advantageous position and is an important node for cross-border trade with around 90 % of Indian goods entering Bangladesh via this port.
Also Read: How To Go Jessore To Kolkata
Trade and Commerce
It specializes in handling imports of goods including machinery, chemicals, and textiles from India. On the other hand, it helps in exporting Bangladeshi goods like jute and jute products, fish, soap, plastic products, batteries, and building materials. An important trade that has a large impact on both economies.
Infrastructure and Facilities
There are several facilities available at Benapole Land Port:
- Customs and Immigration: Check Post Set up in 2009, this facilitates the clearance of goods and passengers, ensuring smooth movement across the border on both sides.
- Transport Connections: The port has also been connected with major highways, bringing convenient transportation for goods entry and exit except via sea. The Petrapole-Benapole rail link is complementary as well, which was reopened in 2001 after a break of 24 years.
- Air passenger services: Overseas passenger facilities at the port are handled by the Bangladesh Land Port Authority (BLPA).
Key Information and Operational Details
Here is the Benapole Land Port Key Information and Operational Details:
| Category | Details |
Port Name | Benapole Land Port, Jessore |
| Geographical Position | Bangladesh side: Benapole, Sharsha, Jessore Indian side: Petrapole, Bongaon, 24-Parganas, West Bengal, India |
Operator | Bangladesh Land Port Authority |
| Date of Declaration | January 12, 2002 |
Date of Operation | February 1, 2002 |
| Storage Capacity | 40,000 MT |
Total Land Area | 61.7052 Acres |
| Handling Labour (Manual) | 2,000 people |
Manpower | Administrative personnel: 123 Security personnel: 242 (APBN: 22; Ansar: 149; Private Security: 71) |
Benapole Land Port Authority Details
Here is all the information about Benapole Land Port Authority:
| S.No. | Name | Designation | Phone/Mobile | |
| 1. | Mr. Md. Abdul Jalil | Deputy Director (Traffic) | Office: 0422875354, Mobile: 01818-640456 | ajbulbul75@gmail.com |
2. | Mr. Md. Mamun Kabir Terafder | Deputy Director (Traffic) | 01716-592936 | mamunkalloltd@gmail.com |
| 3. | Mr. Mohammad Ruhul Amin | Assistant Director (Traffic) | 01718-778834 | mruhulamin1@gmail.com |
4. | Mr. Abdul Hannan | Accounts Officer | 01912-080562 | hannanblpa@gmail.com |
| 5. | Mr. Mohammad Mahadhi Hasan | Assistant Director (Traffic) | 01717511253 | mahedihansan52@gmail.com |
6. | Mr. Md. Atiqul Islam | Assistant Director (Traffic) | 01917-408956 | atikbsbk@gmail.com |
| 7. | Ms. Lucky Begum | Assistant Director (Traffic) | 01721-34063 | masudluckybd@gmail.com |
8. | Mr. Sanjoy Barai | Assistant Director (Traffic) | 01918-864274 | sanjoybaraidu21@gmail.com |
| 9. | Ms. Himel Jahan | Assistant Director (Traffic) | 01727-437338 | ———– |
10. | Mr. Md. Khorshed Alam | Sub-Assistant Engineer (Elec.) | 01824603467 | khorshedbsbs@gmail.com |
| 11. | Mr. Md. Rezaul Islam | Sub-Assistant Engineer (Civil) | 01711010213 | rejasae@gmail.com |
12. | Mr. Mehedi Hasan Joarder | Sub-Assistant Engineer (Civil) | 01733265330 | blamehedi@gmail.com |
| 13. | Mr. Adbul Wasdud Milky | Administrative Officer | 01716948979 | awmilky@yahoo.com |
14. | Mr. Ratan Sarker | Administrative Officer | 01719165945 | ratansarker86@gmail.com |
Recent Developments
Benapole Land Port was shut for the time being in August 2024 because of an unanticipated situation. Operations have since carried on, however, highlighting both the resilience of the port and the importance of regional trade.
Future Prospects
Benapole Land Port is going to be further developed. The attention of the Bangladesh Land Port Authority is geared towards upgradation of the facilities in making them compatible to the increasing rate of trade and the expedited effective operational atmosphere.
Benapole Land Port is one of the most important parts of trade infrastructure of Bangladesh that is responsible for a sizeable chunk of the total volume of business between Bangladesh and India. With its location, still in development, it is bound to become an important focal point of trade and economic activity in the region.
