Stone Import

Import of stone chips through Hili land port stalled for 11 days as India increases parking fees

According to port sources, the import of chips stone through Healy land port has been stopped since February 13. Sometimes a small number of imports for two days, but since then the import has been completely stopped. Meanwhile, prices are rising due to supply crisis due to stoppage of stone import. At present 5/8 and 3/4 size stones have been increased from Tk 3,250 to Tk 4,350 and 1/4 and 1/2 size stones are being sold at Tk 3,550. Many people come to buy stones but do not get them.

Mehedul Islam, who came to the port to collect stones, said, "We have an agreement with the company to supply stones for a four-lane road. So far we have been buying stones from Healy land port and supplying them there. But the price of stone has been rising since the first week of February. The price at which I had agreed to supply the stone with the company, the price increased, there was a problem to supply the stone. Even after knowing the loss due to the previous outstanding bill, I am buying and supplying stones at extra price."

"For the last two weeks, no stone has been found in Healy," he said. "I am not able to supply stones to that company. Not only us, many traders are suffering due to lack of stones."

Jamil Hossain Chalanta, general secretary of Banglahili Customs C&F Agents Association, said all kinds of cargo trucks are entering from India through the port. But chips and stone trucks are not entering. "I have discussed this issue with Indian exporters several times. They told us that in India, parking charges for trucks used to be Tk 100 a day. Now the charge is being increased to Tk 400. Besides, the stay charge is being increased from Tk 30 to Tk 50 per hour. These are government decisions, said Indian businessmen."