Security measures have been strengthened at Benapole Land Port following a series of recent fire incidents across the country, including at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
From Thursday, entry into the port without valid identification has been restricted, and security checks have been intensified. Smoking and the use of open flames have been strictly prohibited, while regular inspections of fire safety systems are being conducted to ensure functionality.
According to port authorities, both uniformed and plainclothes security personnel have been deployed to prevent any possible accidents or acts of sabotage.
Trade officials said goods worth around Tk50,000 crore are imported and Tk8,000 crore exported through Benapole Port annually. Nearly 200,000 tonnes of goods remain stored in the port at any given time.
Due to its convenient connectivity, the port handles the highest trade volume between Bangladesh and India, but also records frequent fire incidents. Fires have been reported almost every year in warehouses or cargo trucks.
In the past 16 years, 12 major fire incidents at Benapole Port have caused losses of nearly Tk1,000 crore in imported goods, raising questions over the port’s overall safety system. Recent fire incidents in other parts of the country have further alarmed port authorities, prompting them to bolster security measures.
Meetings have been held with traders’ associations and customs officials to issue safety directives. Firefighters have been instructed to remain on alert, while all bags carried by visitors are now subject to inspection before entry.
Reports indicate that 12,659 tonnes of auctionable goods, including 3,250 tonnes of expired and hazardous chemical materials, have been stored in port warehouses for years, posing a serious fire risk.
Aminul Haque, an importer at Benapole, said the presence of expired chemicals significantly heightens the risk of fire.
“These materials must be removed immediately. Moreover, the port fire station lacks sufficient manpower, which hampers timely response during emergencies,” he said, urging authorities to increase staffing.
Inspector Shahinur Rahman of the Benapole Fire Station said they are complying with all directives from port authorities to prevent fires. “Fire systems are checked regularly. However, with only seven personnel working across two fire stations in the 90-acre port area, manpower needs to be increased for better safety coverage,” he added.
Shamim Hossain, director (Traffic) of Benapole Port, said security has been tightened to prevent fire hazards.
“We have requested customs officials to remove or destroy hazardous and perishable goods stored in the port. The use of open flames inside the port and entry without valid ID cards have been strictly prohibited,” he said.
