While the Government of India’s import restrictions on certain Bangladeshi goods may have impacted trade across various Northeastern states, the situation appears different at Dawki Land Port in Meghalaya.
A visit by a Highland Post revealed that the port primarily facilitates the export of limestone and boulders, with minimal import activity.
According to Inspector of Customs Naveen, imports through Dawki Land Port were limited to plastic ware, occurring only once or twice a week with five to six trucks. However, following the ban on plastic ware, all import activities have ceased.
On a broader scale, the export of minerals to Bangladesh has dipped, which is attributed to the ongoing political crisis in the neighbouring country. Exporters who previously dispatched around 1,000 trucks daily are now sending just 400.
Meghalaya, rich in mineral resources, continues to export significant quantities of limestone and boulders to Bangladesh. With the port’s increasing activity, authorities are now exploring diversification, including the potential export of other goods in the near future.
The Dawki Land Port Authority is also considering importing fish from Bangladesh, a move still in the planning stages. If realized, this could benefit Meghalaya, which currently relies heavily on fish transported from Andhra Pradesh.
A walk through the Dawki market revealed that some vendors still have old stock of Bangladeshi goods such as packaged biscuits and chips.
Vendors claimed that these items continue to attract customers. One small trader mentioned that Bangladeshi products are profitable and sell well, expressing concern over their likely disappearance from shelves.
In contrast, a couple running a grocery store welcomed the government’s decision. “It doesn’t affect us,” they said, “especially since Indian-made chocolates are in high demand across the border.”
