Thirty-six Bangladeshi trucks carrying ready-made garment (RMG) items have remained stranded at Benapole land port following restrictions imposed by India on the import of certain goods through its land ports.

Petrapole Clearing Agent Staff Welfare Association Secretary Kartik Chakraborty said the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, imposed restrictions on the imports of certain goods including ready-made garments.

Particularly, certain ready-made garments that were previously allowed through land ports must be routed via Kolkata Sea Port or Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva Port, he said.

However, goods that already have LCs or TTs in place are being discussed with Indian Customs for possible clearance, he added.

Mohsin Milon, president of the Benapole Importers and Exporters Association, said due to this restriction by the Indian government, 36 trucks carrying RMG goods were stuck at Benapole, awaiting entry clearance.

Exporters are concerned about potential commercial losses due to the sudden restriction.

Mamun Kabir Tarafder, deputy director of Benapole land port, said they have informed the matter to the higher authorities concerned.

India on Saturday imposed port restrictions on the import of certain goods, including ready-made garments and processed food items, from Bangladesh with immediate effect.

These restrictions came after Bangladesh restricted Indian cotton via sea ports, closing land ports, a diplomatic source told UNB.