Border traffic surged at Benapole checkpoint as Bangladeshis headed to India for Durga Puja celebrations. Immigration officials recorded 9,427 passport holders crossing into India during a six-day period ending Saturday. This figure represents nearly double the volume from ten days earlier. Travelers primarily originated from Khulna, Bagerhat, Narail and Dhaka districts.
Passengers cited festival gatherings with relatives and medical appointments as primary travel reasons. India suspended regular visa services for Bangladeshi citizens on August 5, 2024, permitting only medical and emergency cases. Daily crossings dropped to 70-80 people during the restriction period. Authorities temporarily eased visa requirements for the religious holiday, enabling 2,000-2,500 daily border crossings through Benapole.
Passengers cited festival gatherings with relatives and medical appointments as primary travel reasons. India suspended regular visa services for Bangladeshi citizens on August 5, 2024, permitting only medical and emergency cases. Daily crossings dropped to 70-80 people during the restriction period. Authorities temporarily eased visa requirements for the religious holiday, enabling 2,000-2,500 daily border crossings through Benapole.
