Following a surge in outbound travel to India during the Eid-ul-Fitr and Pohela Boishakh holidays, Bangladesh is now witnessing a substantial influx of returning tourists from its neighboring country. This surge in return travelers has led to a notable rise in passenger congestion at the Benapole land port.

Between Tuesday and Thursday, a total of 15,422 tourists made their way back home. Specifically, 4,910 tourists returned on Tuesday, 5,363 on Wednesday, and 5,149 on Thursday.

Earlier reports indicated that over 32,000 individuals traveled between Bangladesh and India during the five-day holiday period from Eid day to Monday, marking a significant increase compared to regular days.

The extended holiday break encouraged many to explore various destinations in India, leading to this substantial movement across the border. Consequently, the return of these individuals has put unprecedented pressure on the operations at the Benapole port. Security personnel from various administrative departments are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and swift processing of returning tourists.

Returning travelers, such as Subhash Master and Mozaffar Hossain, have expressed frustration over the lengthy wait times and sluggish processing at Petrapole immigration, citing a shortage of officers as the primary reason for the delays.

Moreover, many returning tourists have reported inflated fares at transport counters, especially for long-distance buses, due to seat shortages.

Mohsin Milon, president of the Benapole Import-Export Association, highlighted the significant traffic between the two countries, estimating around 2 million passport holders crossing through Benapole port annually.

Despite the substantial revenue generated from this influx of tourists, stakeholders lament the stagnant quality of service and call for urgent improvements.

Rezaul Karim, director of Traffic at Benapole Port, emphasized the authorities' efforts to manage the increased pressure and expedite immigration procedures for returning tourists.

Similarly, Kamruzzaman Biswas, officer-in-charge of Benapole Immigration Police, acknowledged the influx of returning tourists from India and underscored the importance of efficiently completing immigration processes.