A land port built at a cost of nearly Tk 49 crore in Ballah, Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj, remains unused as it has yet to become operational. Although infrastructure, including a cargo yard, office building, dormitory and roads, has been completed, the port remains deserted, with cattle grazing in the premises and vegetation gradually covering buildings and roads.

The port was expected to create new employment opportunities and boost trade and commerce in the region. However, its continued inactivity is costing the government Tk 2 lakh to Tk 3 lakh every month in salaries, security and electricity bills.

A recent visit to the site found that the port has been developed on seven acres of land in Kedaracot village, around 18 kilometres from Chunarughat upazila headquarters. Despite having modern buildings, roads and cargo storage facilities, the entire area remains largely abandoned due to the absence of operational activities.

Several structures, including the office building, dormitory and boundary wall, are gradually being covered by weeds. Various equipment are also deteriorating due to a lack of use and maintenance.

Four to five families and a grocery shop still remain in the port area. Shop owner Rokeya said they had not left their ancestral homestead because compensation for the land acquisition had yet to be paid.

Meanwhile, five security personnel from private company RDTL are working in shifts to protect the port. Security guard Jalal said visitors occasionally come to the area, but most of the time the entire premises remain quiet.

The Ballah customs station was declared a land port on March 23, 2016. On July 1, 2017, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a development project for the port.

A total of Tk 48.90 crore was spent on constructing various facilities, including a cargo yard, weighing equipment, office building, dormitory and boundary wall. Construction was completed in June 2023. However, nearly three years after completion, the port has yet to begin full-fledged operations.

The main obstacle to launching the port is the lack of necessary infrastructure on the Indian side, particularly in Paharmura of Tripura state. Although the Assam-Agartala highway is located around 1.5 kilometres from the border, there is no suitable road connecting Paharmura to facilitate cargo transportation. A narrow brick-paved road remains the only route in the area.

A small customs station has been established on the Indian side, but road construction is still pending.

According to port authorities, the absence of proper roads and customs infrastructure in India has prevented the establishment of a full-fledged cargo transportation system. As a result, the interim government suspended the port’s operations in October 2025.

Consequently, traders continue to transport goods through the traditional routes along the Khowai River and by carrying them on their heads.

Ballah Land Port Superintendent Shabuj Chandra Roy said the port’s operations were suspended in 2025 following a change in government.

He said the port could significantly improve the livelihoods of local people if it became operational. It is estimated that the port could generate annual revenue of Tk 10 crore to Tk 15 crore from imports from India and Tk 4 crore to Tk 5 crore from exports from Bangladesh.

He added that although a small customs station was established on the Indian side, road construction remained incomplete. Therefore, the port’s operationalisation now depends on decisions by the governments of the two countries.