With cross-border trade infrastructure emerging as a key component of economic connectivity in the Northeast, the Meghalaya government on Monday said several proposals relating to border haats and Land Customs Stations along the India-Bangladesh border are currently awaiting approval from the Centre, as the process involves bilateral coordination between New Delhi and Dhaka.
Deputy Chief Minister and Industries Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said the proposals submitted by the State government remain under examination at the Central level owing to the international dimensions attached to such projects.
“Number of proposal has been sent to Central Government with regards to border haats, Land custom station , we are waiting for the approval from the centre because this is an international matter which requires concent from both the sides. So the proposal is under screening as of now India may be in coordination with Government of Bangladesh,” Dhar said.
It may be mentioned that border haats (zero-line markets) along the India-Bangladesh border in the Meghalaya sector, including those at Balat and Kalaichar, have remained closed since mid-2024, affecting local trade and informal economic activity in the bordering regions.
The prolonged suspension of these local markets follows the political unrest in Bangladesh that began in the summer of 2024, which also forced a temporary halt in bilateral trade and disrupted several cross-border economic activities along the frontier.
