Tighter visa rules, travel restrictions and higher travel taxes have cut passenger numbers at Bangladesh’s Benapole land port with India. Over a year, the number of passport-carrying travellers — both departing and returning — fell by more than 1.35 million. The sudden drop in Bangladeshis travelling for medical treatment, business or higher education has hit the travel sector and reduced tax revenues for both governments.

In the past, 2 million to 2.2 million passport holders crossed annually, generating about BDT 1.5 billion in travel tax for Bangladesh and roughly BDT 2 billion for India. After the July Uprising, India cited security concerns to limit visas for Bangladeshis, triggering a sharp fall in passenger numbers.

Benapole port data show 2,014,012 passport holders used the crossing in 2024. That fell to 663,928 in 2025 — a decline of 1,350,084 travellers in a single year. Revenue took a direct hit. Indian travel tax income dropped by around BDT 1.21 billion, while Bangladesh’s fell by roughly BDT 1.43 billion.

Travellers say obtaining a visa has become the biggest obstacle. Medical visa applications are repeatedly submitted with no guarantee of approval. Abu Hossain reported securing a medical visa only after three attempts, paying BDT 7,000 per passport just to book a visa slot.

Rising travel costs have also deterred passengers. Azizul Haque, owner of Benapole’s Time Travel & Tourism, said a Bangladeshi passport holder now pays BDT 1,061 in travel tax to Bangladesh and BDT 1,500 in visa fees to India. Booking a visa slot adds BDT 5,000–7,000, while the Indian immigration post at Petrapole charges a further BDT 600 in travel tax. Including trips to Dhaka to submit passports, the total costs reach BDT 10,000–12,000.

On the other hand, around 250,000 Indian passport holders use Benapole annually for business, family visits or medical studies, with flows remaining largely steady due to a simpler Bangladeshi visa process.

Ejaz Uddin Tipu, joint secretary of the Jashore Chamber of Commerce, said Bangladeshis have faced persistent difficulties obtaining Indian visas over the past 18 months. Even business travellers have been affected, he added, contributing to the drop in travel from Bangladesh to India.