Over 120 Indian drivers stranded in Bangladesh for around three weeks have sent video messages via social media, urging exporters to arrange for their return along with their trucks at the earliest.

These drivers had entered Bangladesh through Hilli in South Dinajpur district with wheat-laden trucks between November 20 and 23.

In their video messages, the drivers said that the Bangladeshi importers had not yet unloaded the wheat sacks from their trucks, which is why they have not been able to return to India.

“The truck drivers are worried now as many days have gone by and most of them hardly have any money left to buy food or stay near the land port in Bangladesh. Some have fallen ill and want to come home early. We have brought the issue to the notice of the district administration and are also in touch with the Bangladeshi importers,” said Sujan Ghosh, the president of the Hilli Truck Owners’ Welfare Association.

Altogether, 128 trucks and their drivers are stranded in Bangladesh now, he added.

“In recent years, this is the first time that so many trucks are stranded in Bangladesh owing to the delay in unloading of goods across the border. The absence of so many trucks at a time is affecting border trade as well,” said Dhiraj Adhikari, secretary of the Hilli Exporters and Customs Clearing Agents’ Association.

Exporters said that in the case of foodgrains such as rice, wheat and lentils, it usually takes around three days for a truck to return from Bangladesh after unloading the goods.

Perishable items such as vegetables and fruits areusually immediately unloaded and the truck returns to India within 24 hours.

Adhikari said that an Indian driver had fallen ill on Thursday in Bangladesh. Arrangements had to be made to bring him to this side of the border and admit him to the district hospital in Balurghat.

Some exporters said that the stranded drivers were approaching Bangladeshi importers every day.

“But for some reason or the other, the importers of the neighbouring country have not yet unloaded the wheat,” one of the exporters said.

On Friday afternoon, a meeting was held among Indian exporters and importers of Bangladesh at zero point in Hilli on the issue.

“We spoke on the inconveniences faced by our truck drivers. The importers have assured us that they will unload the wheat at the earliest. We hope the drivers are back with the trucks soon,” said an exporter after the meeting.

Major commodities exported to Bangladesh via Hilli include onion, wheat, rice and maize.

South Dinajpur district Ayesha Rani A, the district magistrate, said they are aware of the issue. “We have passed the information to the state government and to some other authorities concerned. Steps would be taken so that the drivers are able to return early,” she said.