Tripura Pushes to End Bangladesh Trade Restrictions

Agartala: Tripura stakeholders want the central government to scrap trade restrictions on goods moving through land ports from Bangladesh. Business groups and the Land Ports Authority of India are currently holding talks to restore normal commercial flow. Markets in the state are hurting. A May 17, 2025, notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade triggered the current bottleneck. Prices have spiked, with some items jumping from Rs 8-10 to Rs 15-20.

Debasish Nandi, the Land Ports Authority of India manager at the Akhaura checkpost, highlighted the local reliance on Bangladeshi imports due to lower transport costs. "While cross-border trade supports Bangladesh’s economy, it also helps meet local demand in Tripura. However, restrictions on the movement of certain goods have affected the market," Nandi said.

The state operates three land ports: Agartala, Srimantapur, and Sabroom. The Sabroom facility has sat idle since missing its August 14, 2024, opening date. Nandi confirmed that the corresponding infrastructure in Ramgarh, Bangladesh, is ready. Officials hope this route will link the region to the Chattogram seaport, benefitting Tripura, other northeastern states, Nepal, and Bhutan. Talks remain ongoing, though no official timeline exists for lifting the trade bans or opening the new port.