Belonia

Type: Area
Contributed By: Nayeem
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Brief

Belonia is marked as the zero point at the international border between India and Bangladesh at Baspadua in Belonia, south Tripura district. A barbed wire fence is being built. The area is called Uttar Ghutuma, in Feni district, Bangladesh. Cross-border movement is routine, marriages ignoring the geographical landscape defined by maps are quite common and friendships still hold true between the two people.

A BSF border post is located opposite the spacious Government home with its jackfruit, mango and coconut trees. BSF patrols were guarding the place with the Muhuri river and Muhuri char (wasteland) setting apart the two countries.

At one time, the wasteland fed by the Muhuri River grew vegetables and sugarcane but that is over. It is a sensitive spot with both countries claiming Muhuri Char.

Trains run between India and Bangladesh could help open markets and business options could wear out the habit of political dislike. It is confirmed by a morning visit to the Akhaura border with Bangladesh, a few minutes run down the Akhaura-Agartala road.

At about 7 a.m., tempos loaded with fish drive in to Akhaura from Bangladesh, deposit their wares and turn away. Business is brisk and loud with duty-free dry fish being sold at $2 per kg for the famed Hilsa and 60 cents per kg for small fish. All other items imported into India carry an import duty ranging between 15 per cent and 30 per cent.

Over the last 20 years, the Tripura Government has been pushing New Delhi to open up trade and rail lines with Bangladesh but talks have remained talks; a waste of breath and words. The lines of Marathi poetess Amita Kokate came to mind: “Like the texture/of the canvas/is our relation/though the weaves/Are tightly interlaced, crisscross/It hurts/our fingers.”

The Jet Airways flight from Kolkata to Agartala is about 30 minutes as one flies over Bangladesh at a height of 25,000 ft.; that is the lone viable link as the alternative by road going round to Guwahati and then on to Agartala can take more than 20 hours. Most do not even try it out. Sometimes one felt the State has been abandoned by all.

At least for bankers the State and its majority farming community do not exist. In a chat, Dr G.S.G. Ayyangar, Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development, Tripura Government, revealed the credit-deposit ratio was just 23 per cent. Banks were not lending and rural bank branches are rare in Tripura.

The Government has taken up the issue with the RBI and by now has become a dead Government document. Most farmers get some grants from the Center and the State with the rest brought in from outside sources. It is doubtful if the banking system has thought of routing funds to tribal practicing jhum in community-held land. Common rights on land, practiced over centuries, cannot easily be unwound. As for IT, there is little to show.


How to go

After reaching at Feni, take local buses to reach Belonia Upazila in the border area.

How To Reach: Feni District

Dhaka and Feni are linked by road. You can take a bus from Dhaka to get to Feni. Some of the bus services have been listed below for your assistance:

1. Star Line Paribahan
Saydabad Counter,
Contact: 01973-259653, 01973- 259 621, 01973- 259 724

2. S Alam Paribahan
Contact: 01822915595

Where to Stay

Accommodation facilities in the district are of moderate quality and have plenty of room for improvement. Some places you may consider staying in Feni are listed below for your assistance.

1. Idrisiya Hotel
Address: Idrisiya hotel, Station road, Feni
Contact: 01714268659

2. Feni Circuit house
Address: Bijoy Singh Dighi par, Mohipal, Feni
Contact: 01713187304

3. Zilla Parishal Dak Bungalow
Address: Zilla Parishad Dak Bungalow, Feni
Contact: 0331 73184

Eating Facilities

Referred to where to eat in Feni, click here

Map

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