Bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh resumed on Wednesday through different land ports across the border since Internet service was restored after four days of shutdown in the neighbouring country.

The suspension was triggered by student unrest that prompted the Bangladesh government to clamp the curfew and suspend Internet service to prevent escalation in the violent situation.

The trade resumed on Wednesday morning after the Bangladesh government relaxed the curfew with limited Internet service. Trucks laden with goods had been left stranded on the border for days and started entering Bangladesh through Petrapole and land ports at other places on Wednesday.

On July 20, the export of goods through the Petrapole and other land ports in Bengal had to be suspended after the Bangladesh authorities failed to accept the “bill of entry” of the cargo vehicles because of the suspension of Internet service.

“Normal trade activities have resumed. The vehicles are moving without any hindrance and we are expecting a good clearance today by the evening,” said Kamalesh Saini, the manager of the Land Port Authority of India, Petrapole ICP (Integrated Check Post).

Petrapole is the largest land port in Asia, catering goods and passenger service, which during 2022-23 saw a total trade of ₹30,378.47 crore with the movement of 1,42,721 cargo trucks and 19,37,141 passengers.

The resumption of trade on Tuesday made elated the people who are involved with the job at different land ports.

“The impasse is over and export has resumed today. Trade activities are, however, slower due to limited internet service. It will take more time to restore normalcy at least until the internet service across Bangladesh becomes normal. We are happy that the Bangladesh government has ensured the security of the export-bound vehicles and prioritised the border trade,” said Kartick Chakraborty, the secretary of the Petrapole Clearing Agents Staff Welfare Association.

Officials said 812 goods-laden trucks were stranded on the Indian side, which began moving to Bangladesh. Till evening, 372 export-bound cargo vehicles entered Benapole land port in Bangladesh crossing the international border on the day. On the contrary, only 45 cargo vehicles entered India from Bangladesh through the Petrapole port.

Daily, 500 to 600 cargo trucks move from India to Bangladesh through this land port. Whereas around 200 trucks come to India from Bangladesh on average.

In Ghojadanga, exporters were happy as over 100 cargos crossed the border on the day with goods.

In Cooch Behar’s Changrabandha, trilateral trade also resumed among India, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

District superintendent of police Dyutiman Bhattacharya said: “Trade through the Changrabandha started today. It was suspended since July 19 and re-started today.”

Shantu Ghosh, assistant secretary of Changrabandha Exporters Association, said: ‘We are relieved today with the resumption of trade. There has been a loss of revenue during the past few days. Changrabandha’s economy practically came to a standstill as export was suspended.”

A further fall in passengers’ movement on foot across the border has been noticed. With most of the students studying in Bangladesh being evacuated, little movement from Bangladesh to India was recorded on Tuesday. On the day, only the movement of Bangladeshi people in small numbers was noticed at various check-posts.