Amit Shah's Kolkata trip postponed due to Cyclone Dana alert

The much-anticipated inauguration of a Rs 450 crore state-of-the-art passenger terminal at Petrapole, located on the Indo-Bangladesh border, has been postponed due to the approaching cyclone Dana. The terminal was scheduled to be inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 24. However, an official confirmed that the event has been delayed to ensure safety as the cyclone moves towards the north Odisha and West Bengal coasts.

Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall between Puri and Sagar Island on the night of October 24-25, with wind speeds anticipated to reach between 100-110 kilometers per hour. The severity of the storm has led authorities to reschedule the inauguration to a future date. Despite the delay in the formal ceremony, cargo trade between India and Bangladesh will continue as usual from October 22 to October 25 through the Petrapole land port, following the postponement of Shah's visit.

The Land Port Authority of India had earlier announced a temporary halt to import-export activities from October 22 in preparation for the inauguration. However, Petrapole Land Port Manager, Kamlesh Saini, confirmed that normal trade operations would resume due to the change in plans. "The Union Home Minister’s visit has been postponed due to cyclone Dana. So, trade will continue as normal starting tomorrow," Saini said, adding that the inauguration could take place soon after the weather stabilizes.

The new passenger terminal at Petrapole, once operational, is expected to significantly improve the movement of people between India and Bangladesh. As part of the largest land port in South Asia, the facility will help alleviate long queues at the border, processing up to 2.3 million passengers annually. It has been designed to handle over 20,000 passengers daily, with a capacity to accommodate 2,500 at any given time.

Covering 60,000 square meters and designed with a modern airport-style architecture, the terminal is a key step in bolstering infrastructure for cross-border travel between India and Bangladesh. The project, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 450 crore, is poised to enhance trade and tourism ties between the two neighboring countries.

While the cyclone has disrupted the initial schedule, the long-term benefits of this new facility will provide smoother and faster processing for passengers, boosting economic and cultural exchange. Local traders and officials are hopeful that the inauguration will happen soon, once weather conditions improve.