Ghojadanga Land Port on Track for Modernization, Center and State Move Forward on Development

The Center intends to quickly transform the Ghojadanga land port in Basirhat, North 24-Parganas, into a fully functional, contemporary land port with a variety of amenities for both travelers and merchants.

On Wednesday, a group of central government representatives, including top BSF and customs officers and chairman of the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) Aditya Mishra, visited Ghojadanga to assess the project's scope. Their Bangladeshi counterparts accompanied the Indian authorities.

"We have a plan for Ghojadanga's land port development. The idea has been authorized by the state administration. We will begin work to create the land port with all of the contemporary amenities seen at the Petrapole land port as soon as the Bengal government makes the land accessible, Mishra said.

The amenities in Ghojadanaga are now rather small. There are no designated passenger seats and the cars are parked haphazardly. Our goal is to furnish the space with contemporary amenities all under one roof. The LPAI chairman said, "We visited the location to determine the extent of the project and to put the plan into action as soon as feasible.

Under the Union Home Ministry, the LPAI constructs land ports along the nation's international border and offers a smooth, safe, and effective system for the passage of people and goods.

Ghojadanga is now one of the busiest land ports on India's border with Bangladesh. Bhomra Land Port is situated in Bangladesh's Satkhira district on the opposite side of the border.

Ghojadanga is mostly used for the export of cotton, dates, spices, onions, garlic, pepper, grapes, fruits, and dates. The main goods that are imported via Ghojadanga are broomsticks, jute bags, and fabric scraps.

"Over 200 cargo trucks cross the border through Ghojadanga helping the government earn a huge revenue," said Sanjib Mondal, secretary of the Ghojadanga Exporters-Importers Association. It did not, however, give the infrastructural development at the Ghojadanga land port any thought. There are no designated parking areas, warehouses, freight driver restrooms, or passenger shelters here, in contrast to Petrapole. The Center's realization of the need of Ghojadanga infrastructure development is commendable."

In 2021, the LPAI designated 87.5 acres for the plan and created a comprehensive project study for the development of the Ghojadanga port. The Bengali government was asked by the Center to provide the land for the construction of infrastructure.

150 plot owners in Ghojadanga were identified by the state government last year, when the land purchase process got underway. The state government has not yet made the property accessible for the project, according to the LPAI chairman, while Saptarshi Banerjee, the MLA for Basirhat South, said that the land purchase procedure has been finished and the Center has been notified of it.

"The state government has acquired the required land, fulfilling its portion of the task. The onus now shifts on the LPAI to start the job," Banerjee said to The Telegraph.

Speaking with the Indian delegation during the joint inspection, Mohammed Ruhul Amin, deputy director of Bangladesh's Bhomra land port, stated: "The initiative would enhance border trade and develop mutual understanding between the two countries." The growth of land ports on both sides of the border was a topic of discussion. Additionally, we have purchased property and initiated a project to create the Bhomra land port."