City Desk :
Hundreds of Bangladeshis find themselves in a distressing predicament as new conditions have imposed by the Indian Embassy on medical visas leave them stranded in India.
Despite applying to the Indian Immigration Bureau to return home, they have been stuck for over two weeks, facing significant economic losses, reports media.
The victims are calling for a reduction in travel complications and ease of movement between the two neighboring countries.
We are intended to seek treatment in Kolkata, as per the embassy’s requirements. However, upon arrival, they discovered that Hyderabad offered better medical facilities.
After receiving first aid in Hyderabad and a subsequent recommendation for surgery, they decided to stay despite the financial burden. Upon attempting to return to Bangladesh on June 21, they were stopped at Petrapol Immigration.
Officials questioned their deviation from the original treatment plan in Kolkata, leading to a temporary travel ban.
Despite complying with the requirement to apply online to the immigration bureau, they have not received permission to return after two weeks, forcing them to remain in a hotel at considerable expense.
Over 20 million Bangladeshi passport holders use the Benapole-Petrapole port annually for medical services, education, business and tourism.
During the 2022-23 fiscal year, 1,985,407 people used Benapole port, compared to 1,998,447 the previous year, indicating an increase in cross-border travel.
The Indian Embassy earns over Tk 120 crore annually in visa fees from Benapole immigration users.
Besides, Bangladeshi passport holders spend about Tk 6,000 crore in India annually, underscoring the significant economic ties between the two nations.
However, travellers face numerous challenges despite having correct documentation. Often, accompanying children are denied visas, and medical visa holders are sometimes restricted to a single trip, hindering the completion of treatment.
Frequent business travellers also encounter arbitrary restrictions, contrasting sharply with the relatively easy entry granted to Indian passport holders visiting Bangladesh for business or familial purposes.
Abdur Rahman, a passenger with a passport, highlighted the inconsistency in medical visa requirements. “There was no restriction on booking a doctor for treatment in the medical visa and showing the same doctor. But now there is a problem,” he said.