Six Check Posts to Remain Open for 3 Days a Week along Indo-Bangladesh Border

Six border checkpoints along the 4,096 km India-Bangladesh border would be open three days a week to allow people to travel between the two nations. 

The decision was made in light of the Covid-19 outbreak. 

According to sources, persons returning to Bangladesh from India would be asked to present a no objection certificate (NOC), a Covid negative report, and a rapid response code with a 72-hour validity.

Since March of last year, both India and Bangladesh have limited regular movement of people between the two countries, but have permitted trade to proceed as usual while sticking to standard operating procedures (SOPs)

The six border checkpoints, which would be open three days a week (Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday), are located along the West Bengal border and include the Petrapole-Benapole, Gede-Darshana, Mahadipur-Sona Masjid, Hili-Hili, and Changrabandha-Burimari checkpoints, as well as the Agartala-Akhaura checkpoint in Tripura.

"However, for training and medical treatment purposes, Bangladeshi nationals are being allowed to visit India following strict restrictions and protocols," said an official.

According to an official from the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, no foreigners would be permitted to visit Bangladesh because the government has closed the land routes.

He stated that Bangladeshi nationals whose visas were set to expire in 15 days were urged to return to the country.

"The Bangladesh diplomatic missions in India would facilitate their return," the official added.

According to the source, the Bangladesh government formerly barred foreigners from travelling to Bangladesh by plane, ship, or train. 

He stated that Bangladeshi nationals, including students, with long-term visas can stay in India as long as they follow all Covid safety standards.

Due to Covid-19, the four 'Border Haats' (markets) in Tripura and Meghalaya along the India-Bangladesh borders have been shuttered since March of last year. 

Due to the emergence of the fatal infectious viral pandemic, numerous restrictions on travel and commerce between adjacent nations have been imposed, although progressive relaxations are being explored since the COVID situation in both countries has improved recently.

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