Direct bus service between Dhaka and Agartala and the recent bilateral agreement on cross-border movement of trucks has added importance of the check post.

Twenty-five acres of land have been acquired to construct office buildings, godowns, truck stands, dumping ground, bank branches, labourers barracks and provide telephone facility, Land Port Authority Chairman AKM Shamsuddin told newsmen during a recent visit to the check post.

After creation of the facilities, the land port will be leased to a private company for 25 years and terms and conditions are being negotiated.

Goods are now transshipped through the point.

The importance of Akhaura check post increased after direct Dhaka-Agartala-Dhaka bus service was introduced on September 19 last year.

According to office sources, the check post now earns Tk 50,000 to 60,000 as travel tax and Tk five to six crore as duty on goods monthly.

Bangladesh exports mainly cement, soft drinks, dry sweets and stone chips and imports coal from India through the check post.

The sources said earnings will increase manifold if it is turned into a land port and facilities created.