The interim government has decided to permanently shut down three land ports and suspend operations at another along the Bangladesh-India border to reduce government spending and save taxpayers’ money.

The decision was made during a Council of Advisers meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday.

According to the decision, Chilahati Land Port in Nilphamari, Daulatganj Land Port in Chuadanga and Tegamukh Land Port in Rangamati will be fully closed. Additionally, operations at Balla Land Port in Habiganj have been suspended.

Briefing reporters at Foreign Service Academy, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said, “Some of these ports were approved under political pressure despite having no trade activity. Maintaining them only added to government costs.”

A government committee had earlier reviewed the situation and recommended closing the unprofitable and inactive ports. Officials had already been posted to these sites, leading to unnecessary expenditure, Alam added.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahmmad also spoke at the briefing.