As Bangladesh headed to the polls on Wednesday, exporters at the Hili land port in India’s South Dinajpur district were watching anxiously from across the border, pinning their hopes on a return to political stability that they believe could revive a once-vibrant trade corridor.
Before unrest disrupted normal commerce nearly two years ago, more than 200 categories of goods moved regularly from Hili into Bangladesh. Rice, onions and a wide range of daily consumer items crossed the frontier in a steady stream, sustaining transporters, laborers and small businesses on the Indian side.
Now, traders say, exports have narrowed to barely eight to ten items. The slowdown has left many without work and drained momentum from the local economy, turning what was once a bustling checkpoint into a quieter, uncertain outpost.“Because of the election today, exports are completely suspended,” said Amit Agarwal, an exporter based in Hili. “We want the vote to be peaceful. The instability on the other side has directly affected our businesses. Many people in our district have lost their livelihoods.”
Merchants say the ballot is a turning point. If a stable government takes office in Dhaka, they hope, diplomatic warmth and administrative clarity will follow, gradually reopening the channels of trade.Where trucks once lined up in long queues, there are now gaps. Warehouses operate below capacity. Workers who depended on loading and customs activity wait for calls that come less frequently.
Still, optimism persists. Exporters speak of history, geography and habit — of markets that need one another and of a border that, in better times, has functioned as a lifeline.For now, Hili waits, its fortunes tied to events unfolding just across the line. If calm returns, traders say, the wheels of commerce could begin turning again.
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