Passenger flow doubles at Hili port during Durga Puja

Cross-border passenger traffic through the Hili immigration checkpost has surged significantly as travelers travel between Bangladesh and India for Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations.

Travelers are crossing the border in both directions to join family members and visit Puja pavilions across the two countries. 

Many Hindu devotees who were unable to travel last year due to Indian visa suspensions expressed relief after obtaining their visas this year. Several passengers shared their excitement about visiting India with friends and family after a long wait to resume their traditional annual reunions with relatives.

Immigration data reveals that daily passenger movement through the checkpost has nearly doubled. While an average of 350 to 400 travelers crossed daily a week ago, numbers have now surged to 600 to 700 per day. Yesterday, cross-border travel hit a peak of 1,185 passengers in a single day.

Hili Immigration Officer-in-Charge Zakaria confirmed the increased passenger flow and stated that additional computer desks and heightened security measures have been deployed to streamline immigration services. He added that passenger movement is expected to rise further as India fully opens medical, business, and student visa categories.

-EM