Shillong: The government of Bangladesh has yet to grant clearance for the reopening of two long-standing border haats in Meghalaya, leaving cross-border trade in limbo for nearly ten months, a senior official confirmed on Sunday.
The two haats—located at Balat in East Khasi Hills and Kalaichar in South West Garo Hills—were among the first four established in 2012 along the zero line of the India-Bangladesh border to formalise and promote traditional trade between border communities.
“These haats have remained non-operational since the installation of the interim government in Bangladesh,” said a senior official from Meghalaya’s Industries Department.
“Despite multiple official communications, we are still awaiting a formal response from the Bangladesh side on reopening the trade points.”
The extended closure has affected hundreds of small vendors and local residents who depend on the haats for economic sustenance and essential goods.
B Lyngdoh, a registered vendor and resident of Balat, shared the impact of the prolonged suspension.
“We live at the edge of the country. These border haats have been a lifeline. We source vegetables and fish from Bangladesh, and in return, sell our perishable fruits. It’s a mutually beneficial exchange,” he said, expressing hope for a speedy resolution.
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Situated directly along the international border, the haats function as micro-marketplaces, allowing residents from within a 5-km radius on either side to trade locally produced goods in a duty-free setting.
On each haat day, participation is limited to around 500 individuals from both countries, with a purchase cap of USD 200 per person.
Officials say the reopening of these border haats would not only support local livelihoods but also strengthen grassroots-level bilateral cooperation.
