On Friday, 375 closed-circuit television cameras were installed at Benapole land port in response to traders’ requests to combat smuggling, frequent fire incidents, and middlemen’s influence. Port authorities claimed the cameras were installed at the entrance of imported products, truck terminals, bypass roads, passenger terminals, bus terminals, and other locations at a cost of Tk15 crore. Businessmen who use the port for trade expressed joy, saying the cameras will assist port authorities stop current irregularities at the Benapole port, the country’s largest land port, and assure security, transparency, and accountability in the port’s activities.
Benapole Port Deputy Director (Traffic) Md Mamun Kabir Terafder said the setting up of cameras started last year but it took extra time to complete the project due to the Covid-19 epidemic. Benapole Import-Export Association Vice President Aminul Haque said various types of unwanted incidents used to take place in the port, which disrupted the trade and overall activities and threatened the security of passengers and goods.