Online booking for immigration slot to Bangladesh begins at Petrapole

Petrapole : The Chairman of India's Land Port Authority Aditya Mishra inaugurated a website through which people can book online for immigration slots to Bangladesh at Petropole Land Port.

Kamalesh Sahani, Manager of Land Port Authority of India said that the website was inaugurated on August 3 and very soon an app will also be launched.

Situated at distance of 80 kilometres from India, it is the largest land port in South Asia. It is very important for both trade and passenger movement between India and Bangladesh.

In fact, about 30 per cent of total trade between India and Bangladesh occurs through the Petrapole Land Port, in Indo-Bangla border.

The authority of Petrapole Land Port said that those who are interested to visit Bangladesh can book the online slot for immigration at the Petrapole Land Port through this website about a week ago.

A registration number will be provided during slot booking after which the passengers can visit the immigration office at the Petrapole Land Port.

The documents will be checked and verified and processed at the office there.

Earlier, passengers have to stand for several hours at the long ques for the immigration process. Now, the entire process has become easier and will consume less time.

According to Land Port Authority of India, over 600-700 trucks come to Petrapole daily for trading purpose, often leading to a problem of overcrowding. However, with the construction of a second cargo gate now, this problem will be solved.

Recently, at a function there, union home minister Amit Shah said that during 2016-2022, there has been a significant increase in the number of land port cargo and passengers.

He mentioned, in 2016-17, the trade amount was Rs 18,000 crore and now it has crossed Rs 30,000 crore.

In 2022-23, over 20 lac passengers have moved through the land ports, he further mentioned.

Additionally, after the construction of the passenger terminal building in Petrapole in 2021, movement of 5 lac passengers annually, that is, about 11,000 passengers daily, has been facilitated.