Once a thriving regional trade hub, Banglabandha land port—Bangladesh's only quadripartite port linking India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh—is facing a severe downturn due to its heavy reliance on stone imports.

Trade has plunged following a halt in Bhutanese stone shipments and reduced imports from India, leaving the port struggling to sustain operations.

The crisis has slashed government revenue and left hundreds of workers jobless, threatening thousands of livelihoods.

Once facilitating diverse trade, the port became dependent on Bhutanese stone over the years.

However, a recent dispute over slot booking charges imposed by Indian authorities has disrupted imports, exposing the port's vulnerability.

Bhutanese stone, favoured for its quality and duty exemptions, stopped arriving in January after West Bengal authorities imposed a slot booking charge of Tk 3,000-5,000 per truck.

Protests from exporters and importers failed to prevent supply chain disruptions, forcing businesses to turn to costlier, lower-quality Indian stone.

Port officials report a drastic drop in daily stone-laden trucks—from 300-400 to just 60-70—causing revenue to plummet to Tk 91 crore in January.

The construction sector is also feeling the pinch, as Indian stone costs $3-4 more per tonne, inflating infrastructure expenses.

The hardest hit are the 500-plus port workers, truckers, and labourers now unemployed.

"Our workers are sitting idle, and livelihoods are at stake. This issue needs urgent resolution through trilateral talks," said Akhtarul Islam, president of the Banglabandha Workers' Union.

Without Bhutanese stone, the port's survival is at risk, said Nazir Hossain, leader of the clearing and forwarding agents.

Stakeholders stress the need to diversify trade.

"Current trade volumes are unsustainable. Immediate policy intervention is crucial," said Abul Kalam Azad, in-charge of Banglabandha Land Port Limited.

While hopes rest on diplomatic talks, the crisis underscores a critical lesson—over-reliance on a single commodity can have dire economic and social consequences.

For now, workers, businesses, and the government await a resolution to revive this once-vibrant trade hub.