Meeting at Agartala ICP reviews Port Restrictions on Bangladesh Imports as DGFT Notification Triggers Trade Realignment at India-Bangladesh Border
In the wake of new port restrictions imposed by the Central government on the import of selected goods from Bangladesh, a key inter-agency meeting was convened on Monday at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Agartala to address the implementation and impact of the directive. The meeting comes just two days after the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued a notification restricting imports of specific categories of goods via land ports along the northeastern states of India.
The meeting was chaired by Shailesh Kumar Yadav, Director of Tripura’s Industries and Commerce Department, and brought together senior officials from Customs, Border Security Force (BSF), Immigration, and representatives from trade and exporters’ associations. The discussions centered around the operational, procedural, and logistical implications of the order, particularly for the Agartala-Akhaura trade route, one of the busiest land ports along the India-Bangladesh border.
Agartala, Tripura: Director of the Industries & Commerce Department of Tripura Shailesh Kumar Yadav says, “A meeting was held at the Agartala Check Post in the presence of all importers, Customs officials, and BSF personnel regarding the restriction order issued on 17th May 2025… https://t.co/TzyYJVuK7u pic.twitter.com/a1c44p5lA5
— IANS (@ians_india) May 19, 2025
What the New DGFT Notification Says
The DGFT’s notification, dated May 17, imposes significant restrictions on the import of a range of goods from Bangladesh through land ports in Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and parts of West Bengal. According to the order:
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The import of all types of ready-made garments is now restricted to Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports only and is banned via all land ports.
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Processed food items, fruit and fruit-flavoured drinks, carbonated beverages, cotton waste, cotton yarn waste, PVC and plastic finished products, and wooden furniture are barred from being imported through the Land Customs Stations (LCSs) and ICPs in the Northeast and through LCS Changrabandha and Fulbari in West Bengal.
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However, essential goods such as fish, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), edible oil, and crushed stone chips are exempt from the restriction and can continue to be imported through existing land routes.
|Also Read : Ban imposed on B’deshi goods import |
Reactions and Implications
According to officials present at the Agartala ICP meeting, trade stakeholders expressed their support for the government’s decision, viewing it as a measure taken in the broader national interest. “Trade bodies welcomed the restrictions and assured full cooperation with customs and trade authorities in enforcing the changes,” said an ICP official.
Director Shailesh Kumar Yadav clarified during the meeting that there would be no disruption in the supply of daily essential commodities, including LPG and food-related imports crucial for local consumption. The emphasis was placed on ensuring smooth implementation without hurting consumer interests or legitimate trade practices.
In 2022–23, Tripura imported goods worth ₹636.72 crore from Bangladesh.In 2023–24, this figure rose to ₹703.67 crore.As of February 2024–25, imports had already touched ₹625.14 crore.
Trade Snapshot: Tripura and Bangladesh
The DGFT restrictions come at a time when Tripura’s trade dependency on Bangladesh has grown significantly, especially in terms of imports. According to Tripura’s Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, imports into the state from Bangladesh have seen a sharp rise in recent years, while exports from Tripura have experienced a dramatic slump.
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In 2022–23, Tripura imported goods worth ₹636.72 crore from Bangladesh.
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In 2023–24, this figure rose to ₹703.67 crore.
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As of February 2024–25, imports had already touched ₹625.14 crore.
In stark contrast, exports from Tripura to Bangladesh fell from ₹121.37 crore in 2022–23 to just ₹12.31 crore in 2023–24. They slightly recovered to ₹50.07 crore by February of the current fiscal year, but the imbalance remains glaring.
Minister Chakma highlighted the importance of enhancing export channels and balancing trade, noting that 8 out of 9 Land Customs Stations (LCSs) along the 856 km Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura are currently operational. These stations play a key role in enabling trade and facilitating people-to-people connectivity across the border.
Strategic Infrastructure: ICPs as Trade Gateways
To strengthen cross-border trade and regional economic integration, the Central government has established two Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) in Tripura — one at Akhaura (Agartala) in West Tripura district, and another at Srimantapur in Sepahijala district.
The Agartala-Akhaura ICP is the second largest trading post between India and Bangladesh after Petrapole-Benapole in West Bengal in terms of trade volume. Other multi-purpose ICPs have also been developed in Meghalaya (Dawki-Tamabil) and Assam (Sutarkandi-Sheola) to facilitate trade in the Northeast.
These modern checkpoints are equipped with customs clearance facilities, warehousing, and immigration services to streamline the movement of goods and people. However, with the new DGFT order in effect, the volume and nature of trade at these posts may undergo significant changes in the coming months.
Looking Ahead
As stakeholders begin adjusting to the new restrictions, authorities in Tripura and beyond are expected to revisit trade strategies, particularly with an eye on reviving exports. The meeting at Agartala ICP underscores the importance of coordinated policy implementation, especially in regions like the Northeast where cross-border trade is both a necessity and an opportunity.
Further assessments and possibly more consultations are expected as the full impact of the DGFT order becomes evident in regional trade flows. For now, the emphasis remains on ensuring essential supplies are unaffected while aligning with national trade priorities.
