The mobile scanner machine in Benapole, the largest land port hub in the country located on bypass road has been closed for two years. The incident took place due to chaos between the customs and the contractor. However, various sources say that the machines have been shut down by some kind of conspiracy. Smuggling is increasing in the port area as the scanner machine is shut down.

The four scanner machines received from the Chinese government three years ago were installed at the entrance of Indian cargo trucks at the port. Sophisticated machines are capable of detecting chemicals, drugs, and weapons in trucks. After installing the machine, the contractor Fiber Associates operated those free for 6 months. Later, the machine was shut down as the customs authorities did not come to an agreement through tender.

Azim Uddin Gazi, general secretary of the Benapole Transport Owners Association, which carries imported goods, said, they can also be safe if the scanning machine is operational and illegal goods were not transported by truck from the port.

Aminul Haque, vice-president of the Benapole Port Import-Export Association, said the scanning machine had been shut down for two long years but the authorities did not feel problem. It is important to restart the scanning machine for security reasons.

Mofizur Rahman Sajon, president of the Benapole C&F Association, said it was important to keep the scanning machine operational for safe trade. Hopefully the customs authorities will take swift action.

Abdul Jalil, Acting Director (Administration) of Benapole Port, said that if the machine is on, one can be sure of transparency. Attempts will be made to speed up the machine.

Goods worth Tk 48,000 crore are imported and exported from India through this port. Revenue comes to 5 thousand crore taka. In the last two years, about 3 tons of Viagra and Phensidyl hidden with imported goods have been recovered.

Abdul Jalli, acting director (administration) of Bonopole port, said that if the scanning machine was operational in the port, there would be some certainty of transparency. 

“We have informed the matter in time, but the concerned authorities did not express any hope that it would be launched soon,” he said.