<p data-path-to-node="5">Leading Indian export promotion councils, freight logistics operators, and trade bodies are urging authorities on both sides of the border to expedite the <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="177">full commercial operationalization, round-the-clock clearance, and multimodal infrastructure upgrades across key Land Ports and Integrated Check Posts (ICPs)</b> connecting India and Bangladesh.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">Industry stakeholders emphasize that despite rising bilateral commerce, cross-border cargo velocity continues to face significant friction due to restricted operating hours, manual customs procedures, inadequate testing and warehousing facilities, and acute vehicle congestion along primary border corridors such as Petrapole–Benapole, Ghojadanga, Agartala–Akhaura, and Dawki.</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8">Key Operational Highlights &amp; Cross-Border Supply Chain Priorities</h3><ul data-path-to-node="9"><li><p data-path-to-node="9,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Advocating for 24/7 Port and Customs Operations:</b> Exporters and freight forwarders are seeking round-the-clock operations and digitized electronic data interchange (EDI) across all designated land customs stations to eliminate chronic truck queuing and reduce detention costs.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Modernizing Cargo Handling and Warehouse Infrastructure:</b> Stakeholders highlight the urgent need for dedicated covered storage, temperature-monitored cold-chain bays for perishable agri-food shipments, and mechanized material handling equipment on both sides of the frontier.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Streamlining Non-Tariff &amp; Testing Clearances:</b> The industry has called for reciprocal recognition of testing standards and on-site quarantine/food safety certification laboratories at major land ports to eliminate transit delays for processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural goods.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Facilitating Seamless Multimodal Transit:</b> Upgrading road access arteries and integrating cross-border freight rail movements with Land Ports will accelerate transit times between India’s manufacturing hubs in Eastern and North-Eastern states and Bangladesh’s industrial centers.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="9,4,0"><b data-path-to-node="9,4,0" data-index-in-node="0">Bolstering Bilateral Trade Resilience:</b> Optimizing land port infrastructure is critical to lowering logistics costs and expanding bilateral trade volumes, supporting trade in essential commodities, textiles, raw cotton, auto parts, and consumer goods.</p></li></ul>