Bhutan cargo stuck at Burimari over India’s clearance delay

Indian authorities have not issued the required transit clearance for transporting Bhutan's transhipment goods through Bangladesh's road network and across Indian territory.

As a result, the trial consignment shipped from Thailand to Bhutan remains stuck at Burimari Land Port in Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat.

According to officials at Burimari Land Port and customs, Abit Trading Company Ltd in Bangkok sent a container on September 8 to a Bhutanese importer carrying six types of goods: fruit juice, jelly, dried fruits, lychee-flavoured candies and shampoo.

The consignment left Laem Chabang Port in Thailand and arrived at Chattogram Port on September 22.

Authorities then began the shipping process to Bhutan via the Bangladesh-India-Bhutan route under the bilateral protocol. However, without clearance from India, the consignment could not proceed beyond Burimari.

Bangladesh and Bhutan signed a protocol on transhipment facilities on March 22, 2023. One year later, at a commerce secretary-level meeting in Bhutan in April 2024, both sides agreed to send two trial consignments using Bangladesh's seaports and road network, along with India's transit routes.

As part of that decision, NM Trading Corporation brought the first container to Burimari Land Port at 4:00pm on November 28 after it arrived at Chattogram Port.

However, on November 28 and 29, Benko Ltd made several attempts to send the container into India through the Changrabandha Land Port, all of which were unsuccessful.

Officials remain uncertain if India will grant permission. A source at Burimari Land Port said the Changrabandha authority has not yet received the necessary approval note for the Bhutan-bound consignment.

Faruk Hossain, member of the Burimari C&F Agents Association and owner of Benko Ltd, said, "India has not yet granted permission, so it cannot be sent forward. We will dispatch it as soon as clearance is received."

Mahmudul Hasan, assistant director (traffic) at Bangladesh Land Port Authority, Burimari, said, "The container has been stationed at the port yard since November 28. Once approval comes, it will be sent onward to Bhutan."

"All customs formalities for the Bhutanese consignment have been completed. As soon as Indian Customs approves, the container will be released toward Bhutan," said Delwar Hossain, assistant commissioner, Burimari Customs Station.

Local port workers, transport labourers and traders said Bangladesh has long awaited the implementation of Bhutan's transit and transshipment privileges. They believe the delay in the very first trial consignment has stalled potential regional trade momentum.