UNB, Benapole :
The Customs authorities have decided to keep the Benapole Port open for 24 hours aiming to keep the export goods market stable.
The notice regarding the directives, signed by Benapole Customs Commissioner Belal Hossain Chowdhury, was sent to different offices concerned on Monday.
However, the Muslims staffs will get break for iftar while the trade between the two countries will remain normal with the non-Muslim staffs, said the notice.
Customs sources said last year, the National Board of Revenue directed the authorities concerned of the customs to keep the trade active for 24 hours in the seven days but the customs authorities failed to comply with the directives due to reluctance of some office bearers.
Currently, the trade through the port remains open for 24 hours six days a week.
Mafizur Rahman Sajan, President of Benapole C&F Agent Association, said it took three hours for a goods-laden truck from Kolkata to Benapole port and at least 102 onion-laden trucks arrived at the port since morning.
Contacted, Benapole Customs Commissioner Belal Hossain Chowdhury, said the port authorities have been asked to keep the port open for 24 hours in a bid to unload the perishable goods laden trucks.
