Petrapole–Benapole: South Asia’s Lifeline of Trade and Survival By Border Correspondent | BanglaConnection Dateline: Benapole, Sept 7, 2025

At the break of dawn, long-haul truck drivers line up at the Petrapole–Benapole land port — South Asia’s busiest border crossing between India and Bangladesh. Over 3,000 trucks pass through daily, carrying everything from garments and grains to medicine and machinery.

The port is more than a trade hub — it’s a lifeline. Around it, a micro-economy thrives: tea stalls serve hot chai to weary drivers, mechanics repair battered lorries, and vendors sell essentials to cross-border workers.

“Without this trade, thousands of families on both sides would go hungry,” said Abdul Karim, a customs agent stationed at Benapole.

Despite persistent challenges — paperwork delays, traffic congestion, and corruption — the crossing remains a symbol of interdependence. Locals call it “the invisible bridge” that connects two nations beyond politics.